The Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force in September will hold joint exercises in Japan for the first time, as the Chinese military continues to punch further into the Western Pacific.
The joint drills, called Bushido Guardian 18, will take place from Sept. 5 to 30 off northern Japan, the ASDF's Air Staff Office said in a press release Friday.
Eleven RAAF aircraft — including seven F/A-18A/B fighter jets — will fly to Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido and take part, while the ASDF will send several F-15 and F-2 fighters from Japan's Northern Air Defense Force to join the drills.