According to Japanese media, the defense ministers of Japan, Britain and Italy have agreed to accelerate the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet.
During a meeting in the Italian city of Naples, they confirmed plans to finalize the first public-private contract by next year, with the goal of deploying the aircraft by 2035, Kyodo News reported, citing Japan's Defense Ministry.
Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani, along with his British and Italian counterparts John Healy and Guido Croceto, discussed the project on the sidelines of the first-ever G7 defense ministerial meeting, Kyodo reported.
Nakatani also announced plans to appoint Masami Oka, a former undersecretary of defense for international affairs, to head the Global Combat Aircraft Program (GCAP), a collaboration between Britain, Italy and Japan aimed at creating a new generation of fighter jets.
The International Government Organization GCAP, or GIGO, is expected to be set up in Britain later this year to oversee the development of the new fighter. I BGNES
