Mitsubishi Completes Assembly of 48th F-35A for Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Japan has completed assembly of the 48th F-35A fighter jet for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

User 358_SAKOYAN published photos of the aircraft on X.

The F-35A conducted its first flight on June 10, 2026, from the factory airfield in Nagoya, also known as Komaki Air Base.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries facility responsible for final assembly of F-35A aircraft for Japan is located there.

The Komaki South Plant remains the only site in Japan assembling F-35A aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

The aircraft received serial number AX-52, indicating its production sequence. It will now undergo a flight test program before being delivered to a Japan Air Self-Defense Force unit.

As of now, the F-35A is operated by three tactical fighter squadrons — the 301st, 302nd, and 303rd. The first two have been fully re-equipped with fifth-generation fighters, while the 303rd Squadron continues to receive new aircraft and operates the F-35A alongside the F-15J.

In addition, a unit responsible for pilot training and F-35A conversion training is based at Komaki Air Base.

As of today, Mitsubishi has assembled 48 aircraft, while Lockheed Martin manufactured four jets (the first four).

In addition, in 2019, an F-35A with tail number “705” was lost, marking the first aircraft assembled by Mitsubishi.

At the end of October 2025, the company completed assembly of the 44th F-35A fighter jet.

The aircraft with tail number “59-8748” became the 44th F-35A assembled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (FACO).