The United Kingdom, Japan and Italy announced Friday that they are collaborating to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet, which uses artificial intelligence, to avert increasing “threats and aggression”.
“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 trio, without mentioning China or Russia, said the technologically advanced fighter aircraft was 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 leaders said the GCAP program “will support the sovereign capability of all three countries to design, deliver and upgrade cutting-edge combat air capabilities.”
Development to begin in 2024
The British government, in a separate statement, said the development of the new fighter aircraft is expected to begin in 2024 and is anticipated to enter service in the mid-2030s, replacing UK’s Typhoon fighters and Japan’s F-2s.
Anticipated features
The UK-Japan-Italy statement said the new plane would be designed to integrate with the defense programs of all their allies and partners.
The next-generation jet would be designed to integrate the defense programs from each of the three partners. Its anticipated features include:
- Uncrewed aircraft system
- Advanced sensors
- Cutting-edge weapons, and
- AI data systems
It could also be flown without a pilot’s input if required and could be able to fire hypersonic missiles.
The new program will see the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan going independent in warplane making, without the assistance of the US. All three countries are part of the US fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter program, under which all three fly the F-35 and versions of the warplane are assembled in Italy and Japan. The new jet is not expected to affect the F-35 program.
Pentagon backs allies’ plan
In a joint statement with the Japanese Defense Ministry, the United States backed the development of a next-generation fighter jet by the ally trio.
“The United States supports Japan’s security and defense cooperation with like-minded allies and partners, including with the United Kingdom and Italy – two close partners of both of our countries – on the development of its next fighter aircraft,” the US-Japan statement said.