Australia, Japan and the US to conduct a joint exercise using F-35 Lightning II fighters

While the Pentagon, Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office look for ways to upgrade the engines, the US Air Force continues to use the aircraft and is preparing to take part in a trilateral exercise.

Here's What We Know

The event will take place in Australia. The exercise will involve fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters from the Royal Australian Air Force, US Air Force and Japanese Air Force.

The announcement was made on the official website of the US Department of Defence. The defence ministers of Australia, the US and Japan agreed last week during a meeting in Singapore to hold the trilateral exercise.

The event will aim to strengthen defence cooperation between the countries. It could take the scope of the joint exercise to a new level.

The ministers recognised that the trilateral partnership plays an important role in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open. The heads of defence agencies of Australia, the US and Japan stressed that defence cooperation has never been stronger.

The ministers expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in the East China Sea. They strongly opposed any destabilising and forceful unilateral action that could lead to an escalation in the region.

Source: Pentagon