UK, Japan And Italy To Develop 6th Generation Fighter Jet

The United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy announced Friday they are teaming up to build a sixth-generation fighter jet, designed to rival or eclipse the best warplanes now employed by the likes of China and Russia – and possibly even the United States, the main ally of the trio, Brad Lendon reported for CNN.

Photo Insert: BAE Systems' Tempest

“We are announcing the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) – an ambitious endeavor to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035,” British, Japanese and Italian leaders said in a joint statement.

The leaders’ statement did not mention China or Russia by name, but said the new fighter jet is needed because “threats and aggression are increasing” against the “rules-based, free and open international order.”

“Defending our democracy, economy, and security, and protecting regional stability, are ever more important,” the leaders said.

In a separate statement, the British government said the development of the new warplane is expected to begin in 2024, and it is expected to be flying by 2035. It will showcase technologies from each of the three partners, the British statement said.

“The ambition is for this to be a next-generation jet enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems,” it added.

The new jet is seen as a replacement for Britain’s Typhoon fighters and Japan’s F-2s.

The new program will see Britain, Japan, and Italy going their own way without the assistance of the US, the world’s preeminent warplane maker.

All three countries are part of the US fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter program, under which all three fly the F-35, and versions of the warplane are assembled in Italy and Japan. The new jet is not expected to affect the F-35 program.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic