Under Operation Atlantic Eagles, Japan has sent fighter jets and support aircraft to NATO bases across the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK.
The contingent consists of about 180 personnel and eight aircraft—including four F-15s, two C-2 transports, and one KC-767 plus one KC-46A tanker/transport.
The mission, scheduled between September 14 and October 1, is intended to deepen defense cooperation with NATO allies, emphasizing Tokyo’s belief in the interconnection of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. Completed stops include the US’ Eielson AFB and Canada’s Goose Bay, with upcoming visits to Germany’s Laage Air Base and the UK’s RAF Coningsby and Brize Norton.
Tokyo’s actions reflect concern over the Ukraine conflict’s spillover into Asia, with Russia leveraging aid from North Korea, Iran, and China, as well as a history of Russo-Japanese rivalry dating back over a century.
This deployment underscores Japan’s evolving defense posture, as it increases cooperation with NATO and distances itself from a strictly pacifist tradition.
Meanwhile, Japan is also conducting joint drills with US forces (Sept 11–25), where the Typhon missile system was demonstrated on Japanese soil for the first time—a development that drew sharp criticism from China.
