The program “shares costs and benefits” between the three countries, including economies of scale in creating employment, attracting investment and promoting advanced manufacturing processes.
The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan have announced that they have reached an agreement on a trilateral program to develop and develop next-generation fighter jets, operational by 2035.
The Global Defense Air Combat Program (GCAP) seeks to develop drones and aircraft with advanced sensors and sophisticated weapons, the three countries said in a joint statement.
The three prime ministers said in the document that they are committed to safeguarding a free, open and rules-based international order, aspects of which are “more important than ever” in the face of increasing “threats and attacks”.
Officials outlined “sharing of costs and benefits” between the three countries, including economies in job creation, attracting investment and promoting advanced manufacturing processes.
Further, the project will contribute to deepening defense cooperation, enhancing scientific and technological cooperation, integrating supply chains and strengthening the defense industrial base, the statement said.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the “next-generation fighter jets” would allow the UK and allies to protect “around the world” and “save lives”.
The new fighter’s design will guarantee “interoperability” with the military systems of the US, NATO and other allies of the three countries, warrants the same reference.
In practice, the initiative involves the merger of the Japanese FX project led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group and the Anglo-Italian Tempest project, in which the British aerospace company BAE Systems and the Italian Leonardo participate.
The first step of the plan will be to lay the groundwork for the new fighter and prepare the necessary infrastructure to start the development phase in 2024.
By 2023, the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan must finalize the cost estimate of the project, agree on each country’s economic contributions and incorporate these costs into their respective budgets.
On Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans to increase military investment to 43 billion yen (300 billion euros) between 2023 and 2027, a 56% increase over the past five years.
Following the Ukraine invasion, Japan is seeking to boost its defense capabilities to counter growing threats along its borders, which run from North Korea to China through Russia.
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