Germany Mulling Joining Fighter Project among Japan, U.K., Italy

Berlin/Paris, Feb. 10 (Jiji Press)–Germany seems to be considering participating in a joint project among Japan, Britain and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet, as its collaboration with France and Spain faces challenges. In 2017, Germany and France came up with a joint development project for a next-generation fighter model, in which Spain participated later. However, defense companies from Germany and France struggled over leadership, and this led to a breakdown of trust, according to a German newspaper. Against this background, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sought the possibility of his country joining the Japan-Britain-Italy project during his visit to Italy last month. An Italian newspaper reported that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Merz that she is open to the possibility. Meanwhile, an official of Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, an affiliate of the Defense Ministry, declined to comment, including on whether the German side has asked for its participation in the three-way project, citing “relations with countries concerned.” The official added that the joint project “has been designed with cooperation with allies and like-minded countries in mind.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]