Every Japanese Military Aircraft — Complete List
Japan has operated 61 distinct aircraft types across its military history — 34 still in active service, 1 on order or entering service and 26 retired or former.
Service status61 types
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
7 types
F-35 Lightning II
Status In service Service entry2013
Mitsubishi F-2
Status In service Service entry2000
F-15 Eagle
Status In service Service entry1976
Mitsubishi F-1 / T-2
Status Retired Service entry1977
F-4 Phantom II
Status Retired Service entry1962
F-104 Starfighter
Status Retired Service entry1958
F-86 Sabre
Status Retired Service entry1949Military Helicopters
18 types
OH-1 Ninja
Status In service Service entry2000
AW101
Status In service Service entry1999
H135M / EC365
Status In service Service entry1996
AH-64 Apache
Status In service Service entry1984
SH-60 Seahawk
Status In service Service entry1984
Bell 412
Status In service Service entry1981
UH-60 Black Hawk
Status In service Service entry1979
AH-1 Cobra
Status In service Service entry1967
CH-47 Chinook
Status In service Service entry1962
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"
Status In service Service entry1959
CH-53 Sea Stallion
Status Retired Service entry1966
OH-6 Cayuse
Status Retired Service entry1966
CH-46 Sea Knight
Status Retired Service entry1964
HH-52 Seaguard
Status Retired Service entry1963
SH-3 Sea King
Status Retired Service entry1961
TH-55 Osage
Status Retired Service entry1961
H-19 Chickasaw
Status Retired Service entry1950
Bell 47
Status Retired Service entry1946Transport & Tanker Aircraft
12 types
KC-46 Pegasus
Status In service Service entry2019
Kawasaki C-2
Status In service Service entry2016
Kawasaki P-1
Status In service Service entry2013
KC-767
Status In service Service entry2011
V-22 Osprey
Status In service Service entry2006
Gulfstream IV
Status In service Service entry1987
Boeing 767
Status In service Service entry1982
C-130 Hercules
Status In service Service entry1956
Kawasaki C-1
Status Retired Service entry1974
Learjet 35
Status Retired Service entry1973
Short Skyvan
Status Retired Service entry1963
Douglas DC-3
Status Retired Service entry1936Special Mission Aircraft
8 types
ShinMaywa US-2
Status In service Service entry2007
King Air 350
Status In service Service entry1990
Hawker 800
Status In service Service entry1983
E-2 Hawkeye
Status In service Service entry1964
King Air 90
Status In service Service entry1964
KC-130 Hercules
Status In service Service entry1962
P-3 Orion
Status In service Service entry1962
S-2 Tracker
Status Retired Service entry1954Trainers
12 types
Fuji T-7
Status In service Service entry2003
Enstrom 480
Status In service Service entry1993
Fuji T-5
Status In service Service entry1988
Kawasaki T-4
Status In service Service entry1988
Hawker 400
Status In service Service entry1978
T-6 Texan II
Status Entering Service entry2001
Fuji T-3
Status Retired Service entry1978
NAMC YS-11
Status Retired Service entry1965
Fuji T-1
Status Retired Service entry1961
T-34 Mentor
Status Retired Service entry1953
T-28 Trojan
Status Retired Service entry1950
T-33 Shooting Star
Status Retired Service entry1948Unmanned Aircraft
4 types
Other National Fleets
National fleets — aircraft in service by country
- 🇺🇸 United States · all-time
- 🇷🇺 Russia · all-time
- 🇨🇳 China · all-time
- 🇮🇳 India · all-time
- 🇰🇷 South Korea · all-time
- 🇯🇵 Japan · all-time
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan · all-time
- 🇰🇵 North Korea · all-time
- 🇪🇬 Egypt · all-time
- 🇹🇷 Turkey · all-time
- 🇫🇷 France · all-time
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · all-time
- 🇮🇹 Italy · all-time
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan · all-time
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · all-time
- 🇮🇷 Iran · all-time
- 🇬🇷 Greece · all-time
- 🇩🇿 Algeria · all-time
- 🇩🇪 Germany · all-time
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · all-time
- 🇮🇱 Israel · all-time
- 🇧🇷 Brazil · all-time
- 🇪🇸 Spain · all-time
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia · all-time
- 🇵🇱 Poland · all-time
- 🇮🇶 Iraq · all-time
- 🇦🇺 Australia · all-time
- 🇨🇦 Canada · all-time
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine · all-time
- 🇦🇷 Argentina · all-time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft types has the Japan military ever operated?
Japan has operated 61 distinct aircraft types across its history and current inventory, including 34 still in active service and 26 retired or former types.
Does this list include retired Japan military aircraft?
Yes. This page covers every aircraft type the country has operated — past, present, and future — with a green In service, blue Entering service, or grey Retired status badge on each tile. For the current-only fleet, see the in-service listicle.
What about prototypes and test aircraft?
This page tracks operational service types. Pure prototypes, X-planes and test aircraft that never entered squadron service are not included.