Japan conducts first air force drill with Germany at home

TOKYO, Sep 29 (NHK) - The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and the German Air Force conducted their first exercise around Japan on Wednesday, as Berlin increases its involvement in Indo-Pacific security.

A Eurofighter Typhoon jet piloted by Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, chief of the German Air Force, landed at Japan's Hyakuri Air Base northeast of Tokyo around 4:30 p.m. after an eight-hour flight from Singapore. It was one of three German fighters to take part in the flight drill through Japanese airspace.

The air exercise, which followed the deployment of a German frigate to East Asia, sends a message to China, analysts said.

Three F-2 fighters, including one carrying ASDF Chief of Staff Gen. Shunji Izutsu, participated from the Japanese side. The drill is intended to bolster the partnership between Japan and NATO. ...continue reading

Source: Kyodo

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