Mitsubishi completes construction of first F-35A

Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony. Government officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and Japanese Ministry of Defense attended the unveiling, along with members of Mitsubishi and Lockheed Martin.

"Seeing the first Japanese built F-35A is a testament to the global nature of this program," F-35 Program Executive Officer. Adm. Mat Winter said in a press release. "This state of the art assembly facility, staffed with a talented and motivated workforce, enables us to leverage industry's unique talents and technological know-how to produce the world's best multi-role fighter."

The F-35a is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter that is planned to replace much of the fighter fleets of the United States, Japan and other allied nations. It is capable of land, aircraft carrier and vertical takeoff-and-landing operations. It is expected to be the primary air superiority and attack fighter platform for the U.S. for the next several decades.

Japan has contracted with the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program to buy 42 F-35As, the first four of which were built in Fort Worth, Texas. The remaining 38, including the one unveiled Monday, will be built at FACO.

"The F-35 will enhance the strength of our security alliances and reinforce long-established bonds with our allies through training opportunities, exercises, and military-to-military events," Winter said.