Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom announced on Friday (9) that they will jointly develop a next-generation fighter plane, a project that opens the door to future cooperation with other allies.
The new fighter, which should be ready in 2035, will unite the three countries’ cutting-edge research in air combat, from stealth capability to high-tech sensors.
“The ambitious undertaking will accelerate our advanced military capabilities and technological advantage” at a time when “threats and aggression are on the rise,” the countries said in a joint statement.
The announcement was accompanied by a recreation of the new planes flying over Mount Fuji, London and Rome.
The statement does not offer a cost estimate, but the three countries are already investing billions of dollars in developing high-tech fighter jets.
“We share the ambition for this aircraft to be the centerpiece of a broader air combat system that will function in multiple fields,” it says.
This implies “future interoperability with the United States, NATO and our partners” in Europe, Asia and the rest of the world, he explains.
The US Department of Defense noted its support for the project in a joint statement with the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
Tokyo is preparing to significantly increase its defense budget, a controversial move in a country whose Constitution limits the Armed Forces’ action to self-defence.
But the war in Ukraine, repeated missile fires from North Korea and mounting pressure from China have increased political and popular support for increased military spending.
A Japanese defense ministry official said the aim with the new fighter is to surpass the capabilities of existing models, such as the American F-35.
Even without specifying the total cost, it will not be distributed equally among the countries, said the official.
Japan’s Nikkei economic newspaper said companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems and Leonardo will oversee the new project.
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