Japan to drop FY 2021 budget plan for F-15 modification

Japan has decided not to include spending in the fiscal 2021 budget on upgrading F-15 fighter jets to carry long-range cruise missiles to defend the southwestern island chain due to ballooning costs, government sources said Friday.The decision not to appropriate the initially requested 21.3 billion yen ($205 million) for the year is sure to delay the planned completion in fiscal 2027 of upgrading 20 of the Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 aircraft.The upgrade enabling the fighter jets to carry U.S.-made anti-ship missiles with a range of up to 900 kilometers is aimed at giving the ASDF the cap…READ FULL ARTICLE