3 models to be offered as Japan's new fighter jet

Defense companies are expected to pitch 3 plane models on Monday to compete for selection as Japan's next mainstay fighter jet.

The Defense Ministry has asked the companies to present specifications and prices of their latest fighter jets by 10:00 AM on Monday.

The F-35 fighter jet jointly developed by the United States and 8 other countries, the US F-18 jet, and the Eurofighter model, developed by a consortium of 4 European countries will likely be offered.

In selecting the next generation fighter jet, the ministry plans to assess how Japanese companies can be involved in the production and maintenance as well as the jets' capabilities and prices.

The ministry plans to decide by the end of November.

The new jets will replace the F-4 fighter jet, one of the Self Defense Forces' 3 combat planes. The model, introduced about 40 years ago, is scheduled to be decommissioned in a few years.