New Italian F-35 Deployment to East Asia Intended to Support Japan’s Ambitions For Revived Aircraft Carrier Fleet

The Italian Armed Forces have begun their second deployment of F-35 fifth generation fighters to Japan, and their first of the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing capable variant. Eight of the new stealth fighters are currently on the aircraft carrier Cavour, which is on a tour of the Pacific. The Italian Navy will reportedly share information on the deployment of these specialist F-35 variants with officials from the Japanese Self Defence Force, as the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, the official name of the country’s navy, prepares to deploy F-35Bs from two of its four carriers - the 27,000 ton warships Izumo and Kaga. Italian Navy Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina confirmed that Japanese naval and air force officials would be hosted on the carrier to “follow the activity with the F-35B.” Italy notably received F-35Bs far earlier than Japan, but has ordered just 30 of the aircraft, where Japan is set to acquire 42 for its lager carrier fleet. Highlighting the importance attributed of the partnership with Japan in F-35 operations, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto personally visited Japan and boarded the Cavour, stating regarding plans to work with Japan’s navy: “We are talking about ships and aircraft from different countries preparing to operate, should the need arise, as if they are all part of the same force.”

Minister Crosetto notably stated that the Cavour’s visit to the Pacific “was not a matter of sending a message to China or North Korea,” highlighting the primary rationale for attributed to the deployment by experts. The two East Asian countries were considered the primary targets being alluded to when the minister referred to joint operations as “part of the same force,” and represent the only major military powers in the region that are not in the Western sphere of influence and do not host Western military forces on their soil. Italy made its first ever F-35 deployment to Japan on August 4, when F-35As arrived at the Japanese Air Self Defence Force’s Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture to participate in exercises with Japanese air units including F-15J fighters.

Italy’s prioritisation of the Pacific for F-35 deployments follows a much broader trend of European states supporting the U.S.-led Pivot to Asia initiative to try to ensure the perpetuation of a Western-favouring balance of power in the region, with the United Kingdom having similarly prioritised deployments of its new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers with F-35Bs to the Pacific. Under the new administration of Chancellor Olaf Scholtz, Germany placed orders for F-35s in early 2022 and months later unprecedentedly participated in the Rapid Pacific exercises in Australia, deploying Eurofighters and supporting assets. The involvement of European air forces in the region has continued to grow ever since, and although their ability to contribute to broader Western Bloc capabilities in the region remains limited, particularly compared to the United States, Japan and South Korea, they are nevertheless valued.