Japan, UK, Italy to cooperate on next-generation fighter jet
TOKYO (AP) — Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy have agreed to work together to develop a next-generation fighter jet that will replace existing aircraft being used by the three countries, the Japanese government said.
Details about the aircraft, including its specifications, development timeline and the costs involved, have yet to be determined.
The move comes as China and Russia develop advanced fighters with the ability to operate over greater distances, and at a time when the U.S. has expressed concerns about China’s growing military capabilities.
Japan has already been working on its own next-generation fighter jet, dubbed the F-X. The participation of Britain and Italy in the project is seen as a way to share the huge costs of development.
The three countries will work to consider what role the fighter jet will play, how the development costs will be divided, and how to secure technology for the new aircraft, Japan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The joint research is expected to lead to the development of a fighter jet that will succeed the Eurofighter Typhoon used by Britain, the F-35 used by Italy and the F-2 used by Japan.
According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, the three countries will officially agree on the details at their first meeting on the joint development of the fighter jet, which is scheduled for an international conference in September in the U.K.