A top-ranking US Air Force officer has revealed that the upcoming deployment of the new F-15EX aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Japan, will be aimed at countering China’s “essentially bully” behavior towards its neighbors.
Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, Commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, discussed the upcoming deployment in a recent interview and highlighted the evolving security challenges posed by Beijing.
The F-15EX aircraft are part of a US strategy to replace aging airframes with more advanced fighters. The US Air Force began phasing out its 48 F-15C and D aircraft fleet in December 2022.
In the interim, Kadena has relied on a rotating force of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, including F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning IIs, and F-16 Fighting Falcons, to maintain a robust deterrence against regional threats, including actions by both China and Russia.
In July, the Pentagon revealed plans to replace the aging F-15C and D airframes with 36 state-of-the-art F-15EX aircraft.
The F-15EX Eagle II, an upgraded version of the iconic F-15, is expected to boost the US’s regional air capabilities. The aircraft’s sophisticated radar, weapons systems, and upgraded performance make it a powerful asset in countering China’s growing military presence.
Evans confirmed that Kadena is set to receive the first batch of F-15EXs in the next 12 to 16 months, with pilots and maintainers currently undergoing training in Portland, Oregon, to prepare for their arrival.
“The goal there is to make sure that our personnel, both [operations] and maintenance, are ready to go as soon as the airplanes arrive,” Evans said. Integrating the F-15EXs at Kadena is also expected to increase cooperation with Japan’s air forces.
Japan’s F-15Js, stationed nearby at Naha Air Base, will closely coordinate with the US aircraft to foster greater collaboration and interoperability between the two nations.
Evans noted that there are frequent exchanges between US and Japanese aircrews and maintainers, further strengthening the alliance’s defense capabilities.
The strategic importance of Kadena Air Base cannot be overstated, as the base plays a crucial role in challenging China’s attempts to impose restrictive air defense identification zones (ADIZ) in international airspace.
He added, “We’re going to fly aircraft and challenge many of these egregious air defense identification zones that China has tried to implement, whether it’s in the East China Sea or the South China Sea. Every day, whether it’s our [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] aircraft, the RC-135, some of our tankers, our MQ-9s — they go out there and fly in airspace where they’re allowed by international law.”
As part of the modernization plan, the US will also deploy 48 fifth-generation F-35A fighters to replace 36 F-16s at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan, where the Japan Air Self-Defense Force also operates its own fleet of Lightning IIs.
F-15EX: A Leap Forward in Combat Air Power
The F-15EX, while not being a stealth aircraft, is a highly advanced fighter jet that “combines its undefeated combat record with state-of-the-art design and technology to deliver next-generation capabilities that push it squarely into the future of combat,” according to Boeing.
With next-generation avionics, networking capabilities, and powerful engines, the F-15EX outperforms many other fighters in speed, payload capacity, and range.
This fighter jet incorporates modernized sensors, an advanced self-protection suite, fiber optics, and a digital open architecture backbone, which boosts its operational capabilities.
Additionally, the F-15EX features an upgraded cockpit with a fully missionized rear seat, improving its combat effectiveness. These upgrades make the F-15EX a major leap forward compared to earlier models like the F-15C/D and F-15E.
One of the key strengths of the F-15EX is its extensive weapons integration, which includes the capability to carry outsized weapons. This allows the F-15EX to take on a wide range of missions, many of which are currently handled by the F-15E, including long-range air interdiction.
The F-15EX is not only designed to excel in high-intensity conflicts but can also be deployed effectively in lower-tier, localized conflicts to provide global firepower reach against smaller, less powerful nations.
Moreover, even the absence of stealth technology actually provides the F-15EX with a unique advantage. Unlike stealth aircraft, it can carry specialized pods that augment its warfighting capabilities. These pods can offer better warfighting-enhancing capabilities, including network redundancy and edge computing.
The F-15EX’s impressive payload capacity of 29,500 lbs (13,300 kg), which includes the ability to carry outsized weapons, allows it to tackle rapidly evolving threats.
With the ability to carry up to 12 AMRAAMs or other large ordnance, the F-15EX can engage targets from a greater range than any other fighter in the US Air Force’s inventory, making it an invaluable asset in modern warfare.
Combined with its extended range, cutting-edge sensors, and advanced electronic warfare suite, the F-15EX offers a multifaceted challenge to adversaries inside and outside of threat rings.
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