Japan, U.K., Italy to Extend Fighter Project Contract

Tokyo, July 3 (Jiji Press)–Japan, Britain and Italy are in the final stages of talks on extending a contract for their program to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet until the end of 2027, Japanese government officials said Friday. The contract related to the Global Combat Air Program expired at the end of June. Britain, which faces financial difficulties, announced a defense investment plan Tuesday that includes its share of 8.6 billion pounds for the GCAP. Japan’s Defense Ministry, which had anticipated a possible reduction in Britain’s contribution, is relieved at the announcement. A senior ministry official described the contribution as a “necessary amount.” The contract extension will be concluded by the GCAP International Government Organization, which oversees the development, and Edgewing, a joint venture established by companies from the three countries for designing the next-generation fighter model. Japan, Britain and Italy had initially planned to conclude a multiyear contract and renew it repeatedly, depending on the concept, designing and manufacturing stages. Delays in Britain’s work to draw up the defense investment plan, however, led to the three countries’ initial contract signed in April lasting only three months. In June, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a decision to resign. Subsequently, some Japanese Defense Ministry officials expressed hopes for the British government to decide its contribution soon while others voiced concerns about how much Japan and Italy might need to increase their spending to cover any shortfalls resulting from a potential drop in Britain’s spending. The next-generation fighter will succeed the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s F-2 fighter. The development program aims to deploy the first aircraft in 2035 after flying a demonstration model in fiscal 2030. “The public and private sectors of the three countries will work together to advance the project efficiently,” Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told a press conference Friday. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]