Japan, Britain and Italy are joining forces to develop new advanced fighter jets

The defense ministers of Japan, Britain and Italy signed an agreement on Thursday to establish a joint organization to develop a new advanced fighter jet, as the countries look to strengthen their cooperation in the face of growing threats from China, Russia and North Korea.

The three countries agreed last year to merge previous individual plans for Japan's Mitsubishi FX to replace the retiring F-2s developed jointly with the United States and Britain's Tempest to produce the new fighter for deployment in 2035.

Japan, which is rapidly building up its military, hopes to have a greater capability to counter China's increasing assertiveness and allow Britain to have a greater presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said at a joint press conference with his British and Italian counterparts, Grant Shapps and Guido Crosett, that the joint development of a high-performance fighter aircraft is indispensable to secure air superiority and enable effective deterrence at a time when Japan is facing an increasingly serious situation. safety environment.

Kihara said no nation can defend itself today, adding that securing the technology and financing for the development of an advanced fighter jet entails great risks. The joint trilateral Global Combat Air Program is a historic program, he said, that allows the three countries to work together to create a new fighter jet while reducing risks.

Under the plan, a joint body called the International Government Organization will manage the private sector joint venture, which also includes Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy, Britain's BAE Systems PLC and Italy's Leonardo, to oversee the aircraft's development . The organization's task is to divide work in various areas, such as the engine and avionics.

The organization, known as GIGO, will be headquartered in Britain and led by a Japanese official, and the joint venture will be led by an Italian representative, Kihara said. The top positions will rotate every few years, Japanese defense officials said.

Japan is making progress despite delayed approval at home to relax its current policy banning the export of lethal weapons. The restriction under Japan's post-war pacifist constitution does not allow the country to sell a jointly developed fighter jet and potentially complicates the project as Britain and Italy hope to sell the new fighter.

A Japanese government panel has discussed easing military sales and agreed to relax restrictions on the transfer of licensed technology and equipment. But it recently postponed a decision on relaxing the joint fighter jet policy until early next year.

Defense officials declined to discuss how the situation might affect the joint project.

The project marks the first time that Japan has participated in a multinational organization to jointly develop new military equipment.

To counter growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia, Japan has expanded its defense partnerships with countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, including Australia and the Philippines.