In a historic move to strengthen international security ties, the UK, Italy, and Japan have formally cemented their joint venture in Tokyo on Thursday, signing a pivotal treaty to develop a cutting-edge stealth fighter jet. Aimed at countering emerging threats, notably an assertive China, the nations solidified their commitment to the Global Combat Air Program.
Both the government and commercial headquarters for the Global Combat Air Program will be in the UK, the country’s defense ministry said in an emailed statement ahead of the signing. The first chief executive officer of the government body will come from Japan, while the first head of the industry organization will be from Italy, the ministry said, Bloomberg news report.
The centerpiece of the project will be a warplane fitted with cutting-edge technology, with uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors and precision weaponry also to be developed.
The planned new aircraft – still known as Tempest in the UK – effectively combines the European Tempest and Japanese F-X projects, both of which had been in the pipeline for years.
“No nation can do this alone to this level of expertise,” UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told reporters after the signing.
“The risks, problems from Europe to the Indo-Pacific are clear for all to see. It is enormously important that we join together across our nations to produce this kind of security.”
This landmark agreement emerges a year subsequent to the amalgamation of their fighter jet initiatives. For the UK, it exemplifies a strategic move post-Brexit, while for Japan, it signifies a departure from historical reliance on the US for major defense ventures, driven partly by limitations in technology sharing.
However, parliamentary ratification in all three nations remains pending for the signed deal, signifying the formalities yet to be accomplished. Notably, the project’s ambitious scope and cost underline the significance of Japan’s financial contributions combined with Europe’s aerospace prowess honed through projects like the Eurofighter.
Anticipating the development phase to commence by 2025 and envisioning the warplane’s deployment by 2035, the consortium faces hurdles in marketing the aircraft beyond their coalition. Reports suggest internal deliberations within Japan regarding relaxing arms export regulations, potentially hindering broader sales of the fighter jet.
