Japan, UK, Italy push ahead with next-generation fighter jet program

Japan, Britain and Italy have agreed to extend contracts for their joint next-generation fighter jet development program through the end of next year, a move expected to accelerate a project that had been stalled by British defense budget concerns.

Nikkei reported Tuesday that the three countries' Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) would extend its related contracts through the end of next year. The three nations are jointly developing a next-generation fighter jet to succeed Japan's Air Self-Defense Force F-2 and the British and Italian Eurofighter, with a target deployment date of 2035. To that end, they established an international organization called GIGO and planned to develop the aircraft through a contract with Edgewing, a joint defense company formed by the three countries.

British defense budget difficulties caused delays, and a contract that should have been finalized last year was not signed until April. Because Britain could not guarantee long-term contribution payments, the deal was structured as a short-term, three-month contract.

The path to an extension opened on June 30 (local time), when Britain announced its defense investment plan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also confirmed the contract extension policy for the next-generation fighter development program during summits with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her European tour last month.