In the early 1980s the Japanese Defense Ministry's Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) and the Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW) began the project known as FS-X. The project was to develop a made in Japan fighter to replace their aging Mitsubishi F-1. It was finally decided to make a derivative of the F- 16C using subcontractors. Construction began in 1993 with the first single-seat FS-X prototype serial number 63-0001 being completed January 12, 1995. The dual-seat XF- 2B 63-0003 arrived in August 1997. In December 1997 the TRDI serials were changed to JASDF serials changing 63-0003 to 63-8501. Production F-2As will have JASDF serial numbers in the 8500 range and the F-2Bs with serial numbers in the 8100 range.
During the 1980s General Dynamics, the developer of the F-16, proposed another involved because they were busy upgrading their present fleet as well as developing the involved because they were busy upgrading their present fleet as well as developing the new F-22/JSF. Japan had decided to purchase the F-16 to replace its aging F-1 aircraft but then decided to develop the F-16 Agile Falcon concept. The new aircraft for the JASDF (Japan Air Self Defense Force) would be the F-2 and manufactured with a 60/40 split between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin bought General Dynamics in 1993. Production started in 1996 with the first aircraft being delivered in 2000. 94 of the F-2 aircraft are scheduled to be manufactured. It might look like an F-16 but the Mitsubishi F-2 is a completely new fighter. The general shape may say F-16 and a few things that the F-2 and the F-16 have common are the engine, landing gear, air intake door and the 20 mm gun. But the F-2 has a longer and wider nose to accommodate phased-array radar with 25% larger wing. It is made from a composite material to reduce weight and radar signature, a larger tail plane and larger air intake. The pilot canopy is a stronger three-piece construction. The F-2 is equipped with a drogue chute just like the NATO version of the F-16. The single seat fighter is the F-2A while the two seat version (F-2B) is a trainer that is fully combat capable.