Tokyo, September 18 - In a landmark escalation of global defense partnerships, Japan has initiated the deployment of fighter jets to NATO bases across North America and Europe, marking a historic pivot in its military strategy. Dubbed Operation Atlantic Eagles, this unprecedented mission involves eight aircraft from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), including four advanced F-15 fighter jets, supported by two C-2 transport planes and two aerial refueling tankers, a KC-767 and a KC-46A. Departing from Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido on September 14, 2025, the fleet first touched down at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, a key U.S. installation, before proceeding to Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay in Labrador, RAF Coningsby in the United Kingdom, and Laage Air Base in Germany. Accompanying the aircraft are approximately 180 personnel drawn from elite units across Japan, such as the 2nd Air Wing and various tactical airlift groups, underscoring the operation's scale and logistical sophistication. This deployment, the first of its kind since World War II, reflects Tokyo's deepening commitment to NATO interoperability amid evolving geopolitical pressures, as articulated in official JASDF statements emphasizing the indivisible security links between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
.gif)
The F-15J fighters at the heart of this Japan fighter jets NATO deployment represent the pinnacle of Tokyo's aerial arsenal, with these particular units upgraded to NATO-compatible standards for seamless integration with allied forces. Capable of exceeding Mach 2 speeds, over 1,600 miles per hour—these twin-engine jets, powered by Pratt & Whitney F-100 turbofans, boast an unmatched combat record, having achieved more air-to-air victories than any other fighter in history without a single loss. Armed with up to a dozen air-to-air missiles and two dozen air-to-ground munitions, the F-15Js are equipped for multi-role operations, including long-range strikes enhanced by recent acquisitions like the Lockheed Martin AGM-158B JASSM-ER cruise missile. This deployment builds on bilateral agreements, notably the recent Tokyo summit between Japanese and British defense ministers, which pledged enhanced security cooperation. As the aircraft traverse the Atlantic, they will engage in joint training exercises focused on air refueling, tactical maneuvers, and data-sharing protocols, fostering greater synchronization between JASDF pilots and their NATO counterparts. Scheduled to conclude on October 1, 2025, the two-week itinerary prioritizes non-combat familiarization to build trust and operational readiness without direct involvement in active NATO drills.
Japan's strategic embrace of NATO fighter jet deployments signals a profound evolution from its postwar pacifist doctrine, enshrined in Article 9 of its constitution, toward a more proactive role in collective defense. Established earlier in 2025, Japan's inaugural diplomatic mission to NATO headquarters in Brussels has facilitated this outreach, positioning Tokyo as a pivotal Indo-Pacific partner in countering hybrid threats. The timing aligns with heightened NATO concerns over Russian and Belarusian military exercises near alliance borders, as well as China's assertive posturing in the Arctic, where melting ice routes amplify great-power rivalries. By dispatching these assets to NATO air bases, Japan not only bolsters its own deterrence posture against regional adversaries like North Korea but also contributes to the alliance's extended deterrence framework. This move complements ongoing trilateral initiatives, such as the Global Combat Air Programme with the UK and Italy, aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter by 2035. For NATO, the influx of Japanese expertise in high-threat environments, honed through frequent scrambles against Chinese PLAAF incursions, offers invaluable cross-hemispheric insights, potentially paving the way for reciprocal deployments of NATO assets to Japanese facilities.
As this Japan-NATO military cooperation unfolds, it heralds a new era of transcontinental alliances, with implications rippling across global security architectures. The Atlantic Eagles operation could set a precedent for routine rotations, possibly incorporating Japan's burgeoning F-35 stealth fleet in future iterations, thereby enhancing NATO's forward presence in the Pacific. Economically, the deployment invigorates Japan's defense industry, from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' F-15 upgrades to Kawasaki's C-2 transports, while stimulating joint procurement and technology transfers. Environmentally conscious routing across the North Atlantic minimizes fuel consumption through optimized refueling stops, aligning with sustainable military practices. Ultimately, this fighter jets to NATO bases initiative reinforces the unyielding bonds of democratic solidarity, ensuring that threats in one theater do not metastasize unchecked. With 180 dedicated airmen bridging continents, Japan affirms its stature as an indispensable guardian of the rules-based order, ready to soar alongside allies in an increasingly volatile world.
