UK-Japan-Italy cooperate to develop sixth generation fighter

Today (December 13), Britain, Japan and Italy announced the establishment of a joint venture to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon by 2035.

GCAP aircraft model at the Farnborough International Airshow in the suburbs of London (UK) on July 22

Contractors BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Engineering Innovation Corporation (JAIEC) will each hold a 33.3% stake in the joint venture developing the sixth-generation fighter.

In which, JAIEC is the company that receives financial resources from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Japan Aerospace Industries Association.

The new move is said to mark an important moment for the aerospace and defense industry, according to AFP citing a press release on the establishment of the Anglo-Japanese-Italian joint venture.

"Today's agreement is the culmination of many months of collaboration with industry partners and a testament to the tireless work of the people involved in this strategically important program," AFP quoted Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems.

Mr. Woodburn predicted that the new joint venture would lead the effort to develop the next generation of fighter aircraft, creating highly skilled, valuable jobs and bringing long-term benefits to the countries involved for many years to come.

All three partners agreed to establish a joint venture under the Global Air Combat Program (GCAP), a multinational initiative established by the UK, Japan, and Italy in 2022 to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet to replace Japan's Eurofighter Typhoon and F-2 fighters.

The joint venture is expected to officially launch in mid-2025 and undertake the design and development of GCAP aircraft with stealth and supersonic capabilities.

The sixth-generation fighter is expected to enter service in 2035, ahead of a similar project by rival FCAS led by France, Germany and Spain.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/anh-nhat-y-hop-tac-phat-trien-tiem-kich-the-he-thu-sau-185241213210316285.htm