First P-1s Delivered to JMSDF

摘要

The first two Kawasaki Heavy Industries P-1 four-engine jet maritime patrol aircraft were delivered to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) on March 26 during a ceremony at the factory at Kakamigahara, Gifu prefecture. Hand-over was originally scheduled to take place a year earlier, but was delayed after cracks were detected in the airframe. Seven P-1s are scheduled to be delivered to the first base for the type at Atsugi in Kanagawa prefecture by March 2014 and will be used for training and development, with the total of 12 due by the end of 2016.