Japan, Britain, and Italy plans sixth-generation fighter jets

• Great Britain, Japan and Italy are teaming up to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet.
• Work is expected to start in 2024 and conclude by 2035.
• The new aircraft will compete with or surpass the best warplanes currently used by countries like China and Russia.

The United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy announced on Friday that they are working together to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet that will compete with or surpass the best warplanes currently used by countries like China and Russia, as well as perhaps even the United States, the trio’s primary ally.

“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.

The British government stated in a separate statement that work on the new warplane is anticipated to start in 2024 and conclude by 2035.

According to the British statement, it will highlight technologies from each of the three partners.

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

The new aircraft is viewed as a substitute for Japan’s F-2s and Britain’s Typhoon fighters.

With the new program, the world’s top warplane manufacturer, the US, will not provide support to Britain, Japan, or Italy as they proceed independently.

The US Fifth Generation F-35 Stealth Fighter Program involves all three nations, and as a result, all three fly the F-35, with variants of the aircraft being built in Italy and Japan. The F-35 program shouldn’t be impacted by the new aircraft.

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