The three countries said in a joint statement that the Global Defense Air Combat Program (GCAP) intends to develop drones and aircraft with advanced sensors and sophisticated weapons.
In the document, the three prime ministers said they were committed to safeguarding a free, open and rules-based international order, characteristics that are “more important than ever” as “threats and attacks” escalate.
Officials outlined “cost and benefit sharing” between the three countries, including economies, in terms of job creation, investment attraction and the development of 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 defend “around the world” and “save lives”.
The design of the new fighter will guarantee “interoperability” with the military systems of the US, NATO and other allies of the three countries, the same reference guarantees.
In practice, the initiative combines the Japanese FX project led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group and the Anglo-Italian Tempest project involving British Aerospace BAE Systems and Italian Leonardo.
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 its invasion of Ukraine, 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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