World’s strongest military deploys F-35B stealth “jump jets” near China as North African nation seeks its own F-35s to shift airpower balance

The U.S. has deployed a squadron (between 12 to 24 aircrafts) of its advanced F-35B stealth jets to Japan, strengthening its airpower presence in the Western Pacific near China.

• The U.S. has deployed a squadron of advanced F-35B stealth jets to Japan, to strengthen air presence near China.
• Despite their sophistication, F-35Bs have limited range, heavy maintenance demands, and high costs.
• Morocco is in advanced talks to acquire up to 32 F-35A jets worth up to $18 billion, becoming Africa's first operator.

At the same time, Morocco is engaged in advanced negotiations with the U.S. to purchase its own fleet of F-35 aircraft in a massive deal ranging between $17 billion and $18 billion.

U.S. forces deploy vertical landing stealth jets near China

The U.S. sent a fresh squadron of F-35B fifth-generation fighter jets to take over rotational duties at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, replacing an older squadron of F-18C/D Hornet jets.

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Because fixed bases in the region are highly vulnerable to potential long-range missile attacks during a conflict, the military plans to exploit the F-35B's unique short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.

According to Military Watch Magazine, this operational concept is designed to allow the stealth jets to disperse and operate from "smaller and less predictable operating locations".

However, the specialized aircraft faces major performance constraints over the vast distances of the Pacific.

The F-35B has a combat radius of only 700 kilometers, which compares poorly to the 2,000-plus kilometer range boasted by China's fifth-generation J-20 fighter.The J-20 is a highly sophisticated successor to the technologies used in the J-10, which Business Insider Africa reported Algeria was considering.

When compared to the F-35A, the F-35B also carries a smaller internal weapons load, requires intensive maintenance.

Military Watch Magazine reports that the aircraft is highly complex to sustain and costs about "$140 million per aircraft".

Morocco negotiates historic multi-billion dollar stealth fighter deal with U.S.

While the United States positions its stealth assets in Asia, Morocco is making a bid to secure its own fifth-generation airpower.

Rabat’s potential acquisition of up to 32 F-35A jets would make Morocco the very first African nation to operate a fifth-generation stealth fighter, representing a massive shift in North African security dynamics.

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This purchase aims to transition the Royal Moroccan Air Force toward information-dominant warfare and counter neighboring Algeria, whose military relies on Russian-supplied combat planes.

Morocco’s ambitious modernization is backed by a growing national defense budget, which rose to $13.3 billion in 2025.

This defense deal is deeply rooted in decades of cooperation and has gained significant momentum since Morocco normalized relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords.

According to Defence Security Asia, the U.S.'s close ally, Israel, does not object to the sale because Morocco is viewed as a defensive, stable partner that poses no threat to Israeli interests.

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The U.S. President Trump expressed his opinion regarding exporting high-end hardware to trusted regional allies when he said, “I know they'd like you to get planes of reduced calibre, but as far as I'm concerned, I think they are both at a level where they should get top of the line”.