Trump’s F-47 Fighter Jet Offer to Japan Could Redefine Global Defense Alliances

In a potentially game-changing move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly offered Japan the F-47, a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet currently under development by Boeing. If the deal progresses, it would mark the first known export offer of the United States’ Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft — a milestone not only for the F-47 program but also for the future of international defense partnerships.

The offer reportedly came during a phone call between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 23. During the conversation, Trump emphasized the superiority of American airpower, highlighting not only the F-47 but also the iconic F-22 Raptor and a new, upgraded version of the F-35. He expressed a desire to provide Japan with “the best,” indicating the importance Washington places on maintaining a robust security alliance with Tokyo amid growing regional threats.

The timing of the offer is particularly significant. Japan is currently part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a collaborative sixth-generation fighter initiative with the United Kingdom and Italy. However, there is growing doubt in Tokyo about whether GCAP will deliver a fully operational aircraft by its targeted 2035 deadline. According to reports, Japan is weighing alternative paths, including acquiring more F-35 jets or upgrading its existing F-15 fleet to address potential gaps in air defense.

In this context, the F-47 proposal appears to be a calculated move by the United States to redirect Japan’s focus toward American-made next-gen platforms. By offering the F-47, the U.S. is not just marketing a fighter jet—it is also asserting its position as Japan’s preferred defense partner at a time when China's military capabilities are rapidly advancing. Beijing is reportedly testing its own sixth-generation aircraft, tentatively named the J-36 and J-50, prompting U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region to modernize their air forces with urgency.

While the F-47 remains in its development phase, Trump has already hinted at plans to export a slightly modified version to select allies. He acknowledged that while certain "toned-down" variants might be offered, they would still represent a massive leap in capability. This strategy mirrors how the U.S. handled F-35 sales—by expanding global participation, the production scale increased, which helped drive down costs per unit. A similar approach could make the F-47 financially viable for countries like Japan while enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces.

The stakes for Japan are high. The country must navigate between honoring its existing commitment to GCAP and adapting quickly to emerging threats. If the F-47 proves to be a credible, earlier-available alternative, Tokyo might reassess its trajectory. Such a shift could also have ripple effects across Europe, particularly for the UK and Italy, which see Japan as a crucial pillar in GCAP’s success.

For now, Japan has not publicly confirmed whether it will accept the U.S. offer. But the F-47 proposal has undeniably added a new layer of complexity to the strategic decisions Tokyo must make. With China’s air capabilities on the rise and tensions across the Indo-Pacific increasing, the future of Japan’s fighter fleet could well be shaped by this bold American proposal.

If accepted, this would not only be the first export deal for the F-47 but also a major statement on where Japan sees its most reliable military partnership in the years ahead.