page_title: Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
section_title: Aircraft operated
hierarchical_section_title: Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force / Aircraft operated
caption_attribution_description: English: JASDF F-15 at Chitose Air Base
context_page_description: Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are squadrons of fighter aircraft dedicated to the defense of Japan. As Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution states that the country renounces war, JASDF fighter squadrons have never been deployed in combat overseas.
  One of the main activities of JASDF fighter squadrons is providing Quick Reaction Alert intercepts to Chinese and Russian aircraft nearing or violating Japanese airspace. In 2016 Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft launched 851 times to intercept Chinese aircraft and 301 times in response to Russian aircraft.
  It has never been required to engage in combat to protect Japan. The closest the JASDF has ever come to combat was in 1987 when it fired warning shots near a Soviet Tu-16 that was violating Japanese airspace.
  As of 2019 there are 12 JASDF fighter squadrons in existence. In December 2013 it was announced that the number would be increased to 13.
context_section_description: North American F-86F (1955–1979)
  North American F-86D (1958–1968)
  Lockheed F-104J/DJ (1962–1986)
  Mitsubishi F-1 (1978–2006)
  McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ (1973–1993)
  McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai (1989–present)
  Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ (1983–present)
  Mitsubishi F-2A/B (2000–present)
  Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (2019-present)
caption: F-15J at Chitose Air Base (2010)
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