The first two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles arrived at RAF Coningsby highly anticipated European deployment.
Few days after departing Chitose Air Base, the first two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles arrived at RAF Coningsby in the UK on Sept. 18, 2025. The fighters were supported by a KC-46 and a KC-767 tankers, as well as two C-2 cargo aircraft – one of which preceded the fighters and arrived in the UK on Sept. 17.
Japanese Eagles in the UK
The arrival of the Japanese Eagles was highly awaited, with RAF Coningsby’s fences and spotting areas crawling with spotters and aviation enthusiasts who arrived to witness the unique event. In fact, the Japanese fighters and transports are extraordinarily rare in European skies and, while the C-2 also visited RAF Fairford in the past for the Royal International Air Tattoo, this represents the first ever deployment of JASDF fighter aircraft to Europe.
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇯🇵🇬🇧🇩🇪 #F15 戦闘機 #AtlanticEagles は、無事、🇬🇧に到着しました。今まさに #航空自衛隊 の歴史が塗り替えられました。改めて、ご支援いただきました皆様のご理解、ご協力に感謝します。欧州・大西洋とインド太平洋の安全保障は不可分であり、相互に連関しています。🇬🇧🤝🇯🇵 #北米・欧州親善訪問 pic.twitter.com/Eohpz4XFb3
— 防衛省 航空自衛隊 (@JASDF_PAO) September 18, 2025
The F-15s arrived at RAF Coningsby using the callsigns “Jintei 1” and “Jintei 2,“ bearing the serials 22-8936 and 42-8946, respectively. Ad we mentioned in our article about the C-2’s arrival, Japan uses a unique pattern for its serials.
The first digit refers to the final digit of the year of delivery – 22-8936 was delivered in 1992, 42-8946 in 1994. The second digit, 2, is assigned based on aircraft type, though because of the number of aircraft types in service both now and in the past this is not unique. The third digit – the first after the hyphen – denotes the aircraft’s base role, with the F-15s carrying the number 8, which is one of the numbers used for fighter aircraft. Finally, the last three digits are sequentially assigned.
Although the entire contingent of Japanese aircraft was expected to arrive on Sept. 18, it is currently unclear when the other two F-15s will arrive at the Lincolnshire air base. Meanwhile, the first two have been towed to the hangars of the local No. 29 Squadron, while the tankers landed at RAF Brize Norton.
The Japanese are expected to have several days of cultural exchanges with UK crews, however it is widely reported that the F-15Js are unlikely to fly during their UK visit. After their stop at Coningsby, the jets will depart again for the next leg of the Atlantic Eagles deployment, headed to Laage Air Base, Germany.
Atlantic Eagles Deployment
The historic Japanese deployment to Europe is a milestone in Japan’s growing defense engagement with NATO partners. The deployment features four F-15J Eagles from the 2nd Air Wing at Chitose Air Base, accompanied by around 180 personnel and supported by a mix of KC-46 and KC-767 tankers, two Kawasaki C-2 transports, and a commercial Omega KDC-10 tanker.
The UK leg of the mission was first announced in late August by Defence Secretary John Healey during the Pacific Future Forum in Tokyo. Later on, Japan confirmed and explained in detail the deployment.
Japan’s Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, said the deployment “embodies the common understanding that security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is inseparable.” He added that Japanese personnel “will seek to deepen mutual understanding with the air forces of those countries.”
After departing Japan, the fighters made stops at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska and Goose Bay in Canada, before crossing the Atlantic to reach RAF Coningsby in the United Kingdom. Following this stop, the aircraft will head to Laage Air Base in Germany. Along the way, JASDF support aircraft are tasked with ensuring fuel, spares, and ground equipment arrive ahead of the fighters.
The operation is not structured around large-scale exercises but instead emphasizes presence, liaison activities, and strengthening defense ties. As mentioned, this marks the first time Japanese fighters have flown to Europe, making the deployment a historic demonstration of Japan’s long-range reach and commitment to interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners.
This is especially true as Japan is taking part to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the UK and Italy (although at the moment a visit to Italy is not planned), as well as several exchanges with European partners. In fact, in recent years, military aircraft from the UK, Italy, Germany, France and Spain visited Japan.
The F-15J
F-15J is a licence produced variant of the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas F-15, locally built by Mitsubishi in Japan. First flying in 1980, and introduced into service in 1981, the fighter has been a mainstay of the JASDF for well over four decades. New investment, creating a “Super Interceptor”, will see around half of the F-15J fleet upgraded with the Raytheon APG-82(v)1 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar alongside the AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS (Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System).
Moving beyond the air superiority role, the upgrade also includes the capability to deploy precision air to ground weaponry for the first time. Upgraded aircraft will field the AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range), providing both a land attack and anti-ship function.
Those aircraft not included in the upgrade will eventually be withdrawn from service, supplanted by F-35A Lightning IIs. It is expected that the fighter resulting from GCAP will then replace Japan’s multirole Mitsubishi F-2s – a derivative of the F-16.
Many thanks to Glenn Lockett for allowing us to use the images of the F-15Js’ arrival!
