U.S. Deploys F-15EX to Okinawa for the First Time, Aimed at Countering China’s J-20

F-15EX Deployed to Okinawa, U.S. Eyes Enhanced Regional Air Superiority

According to Japan’s Kyodo News, two F-15EX fighter jets have touched down at the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. This marks the first overseas mission for what the Pentagon calls its most advanced non-stealth combat aircraft.

Alongside an F-16C and an F-15E, these two F-15EX fighters—assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida—will conduct a range of training and support validation tasks in Okinawa. The move lays groundwork for the deployment of 36 F-15EX aircraft to the region by 2026.

Replacing Outdated F-15C/D Units Amid Rising PLA Pressure

For years, the U.S. relied on F-15C/D jets in Okinawa to maintain front-line air defense in the western Pacific. But as China’s air force rapidly modernizes, these aging jets have become increasingly outmatched. With operational fatigue and limited upgrades, the U.S. Air Force decided to withdraw the older fleet and opted to rotate aircraft from other bases—until now.

The F-15EX, while not stealth, integrates next-gen avionics and can carry up to 22 missiles and 13.5 tons of weapons, with a range of over 3,000 km. While initially hyped with a top speed of Mach 3, that number has since been revised downward to Mach 2.497.

A Challenge Ahead: Can F-15EX Match China’s J-20?

The East China Sea, where the F-15EX will operate, is also home to some of the PLA Air Force’s most advanced assets, including the J-20 stealth fighter and the KJ-500 AEW&C platform. In past confrontations, PLA jets such as the J-16 have successfully forced U.S. F-35s to disengage, likely using information relayed from long-range radar and support aircraft.

In 2022, U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Wilsbach admitted that China’s J-20 + KJ-500 combo outperformed the U.S. F-35A + E-3 duo in the East China Sea.

Given this context, while the F-15EX may be the Pentagon’s best available option, its real-world performance against China’s fifth-gen fighters is still unproven. More likely, analysts suggest, it may end up serving as a “sharpening stone” for China’s increasingly combat-ready air force.