Japan eyes buying Ospreys as US looks to expand fleet to mainland

Japan’s defense ministry wants funding to purchase Osprey aircraft starting next year, with the addition of more than a dozen tilt-rotor aircraft over the next few years, despite homegrown protests and concerns regarding the aircraft’s safety. During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera lauded the ability and performance of the controversial helicopter-airplane hybrid in the Philippines, where it was used extensively in typhoon relief operations.

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