Japan, the UK, and Italy have joined forces to hasten the development of a next-generation fighter jet programme that aims to replace the F-2 aircraft. The defence ministers from these countries have agreed on speeding up the collaboration and have disclosed plans to establish a trilateral government body to oversee the project, as revealed by Japanese officials on Sunday.
Back in 2022, the three nations made a pact to jointly create a new combat aircraft to be operational by 2035, under the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). This initiative is intended to fortify cooperation in response to escalating threats posed by China, Russia, and North Korea. The forthcoming fighter jet would take the place of Japan’s retiring F-2s, which were developed in partnership with the US and the UK’s Tempest programme.
Following a meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, UK Defence Secretary John Healey, and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosett, it was announced that a collaborative body known as the GCAP International Government Organization (GIGO) would be established by the end of this year to supervise the development of the aircraft. This decision was made during the Group of Seven defense ministers meeting in Naples, Italy.
Various private sector companies, such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan, BAE Systems PLC from the UK, and Leonardo from Italy, are actively involved in the project. The GIGO headquarters will be located in the UK, with a Japanese official leading the organisation to manage the aircraft’s development process.
In response to concerns about the project’s progress amidst changes in leadership within Japan and the UK, Nakatani confirmed that the launch of GIGO is on schedule, with plans to finalise the first contract next year. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries showcased a 1/10th scale model of the joint fighter jet at a major aerospace exhibition in Tokyo recently, attracting significant interest from visitors.
Akira Sugimoto, MHI’s Japan program senior representative for GCAP, highlighted the significance of the joint fighter jet development for Japanese suppliers and the country’s industrial base. He emphasised the importance of leveraging the exceptional technologies possessed by Japanese suppliers to ensure the successful creation of a high-quality fighter jet. This collaborative effort is expected to enhance the capabilities of Japanese suppliers in developing equipment and contribute to a more stable business environment.
Japan, which is bolstering its military capabilities, views the joint fighter jet project as a strategic move to counteract China’s increasing assertiveness. By easing restrictions on arms exports, Japan aims to facilitate the foreign sales of the future fighter jet and explore licensing agreements for weapons like the domestically produced PAC-3 missile interceptors. These endeavours are aimed at bolstering Japan’s underdeveloped defence industry and reinforcing its defence capabilities in the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.