The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan have agreed on the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) for defense that allows them to develop a military plan to build new generation fighter aircraft.
«GCAP will accelerate our advanced military capability and technological edge; deepen our defense cooperation, scientific and technological collaboration, integrated supply chains and further strengthen our defense industrial base,» reads a joint statement.
The prime ministers of London, Rome and Tokyo — Rishi Sunak, Giorgia Meloni and Fumio Kishida, respectively — have said they are committed to upholding a rules-based, free and open international order, noting that these are «more important than ever» in the face of «increased» «threats and aggression».
This plan also seeks economic benefits, generating employment, attracting investment and generating advanced manufacturing processes. «Working together in a spirit of equal partnership, we share the costs and benefits of this investment in our people and technologies,» the missive continues.
«Most importantly, the program will support the sovereign capability of these three countries to design, supply and modernize state-of-the-art combat air capabilities,» the document adds.
«The next generation of fighter aircraft we design will protect us and our allies around the world by harnessing the strength of our world-leading defense industry, creating jobs and saving lives,» Sunak said, as quoted by the BBC.
Downing Street’s goal is for the aircraft, called Tempest in the UK, to take to the skies by 2035 and succeed the RAF’s Typhoon, reports the BBC.
The aim is for the aircraft developed under GCAP to have enhanced capabilities, such as unmanned aircraft, advanced sensors and state-of-the-art weapons.
