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Japan, UK, Italy to develop next-generation fighter jet

The aircraft is due to enter service in 2035 and is expected to be in service until 2070

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The Global Combat Air Programme’s 6th generation fighter jet concept design, bathed in the colours of the United Kingdom’s national flag, on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow in London on July 22. Photo: AFP
Agence France-Presse
Britain, Italy and Japan on Friday launched a joint venture to develop a supersonic next-generation fighter jet by 2035, replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon.
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Britain’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC) will each hold a 33.3 per cent share in the new venture, “marking a pivotal moment for the international aerospace and defence industry”, they announced in a press release.

JAIEC is a firm jointly funded by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies.

“Today’s agreement is a culmination of many months working together with our industry partners and is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in this strategically important programme,” said Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems’ chief executive.

The venture will “bring together the significant strengths and expertise of the companies involved to create an innovative organisation that will lead the way in developing a next generation combat air system, creating long-term, high value and skilled jobs across the partner nations for decades to come”, he added.

(From left) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba prior to their talks in Rio de Janeiro on November 19, expected to focus on a joint project to develop a next-generation fighter jet. Photo: Kyodo
(From left) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba prior to their talks in Rio de Janeiro on November 19, expected to focus on a joint project to develop a next-generation fighter jet. Photo: Kyodo

The three partners have agreed to form a new company under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a multinational initiative established by Britain, Japan and Italy in 2022 to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter to replace the Typhoon and Japanese F-2.

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