By Seth Robson and Hana Kusumoto
Tokyo – According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, Japan may work with Britain to develop a new stealth fighter jet.
A decision on cooperation on the high-tech project is expected later in the year, a spokesman for the ministry’s procurement, technology and logistics agency told the Stars and Stripes by phone on Wednesday.
The two countries already operate US-engineered F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, but are close to a deal to merge their Tempest and FX programs, Reuters news agency reported on July 14.
“The Tempest aircraft uses new game-changing technology and is expected to join the RAF fleet by 2035,” according to the Royal Air Force’s official website.
Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with the help of 220 subcontractors, Japan’s X-2 stealth fighter features a stealthy design, stealthy finish and locally produced engines. A prototype first flew in 2016.
When Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met in London in May, they agreed to coordinate with other allies and decide what form of cooperation on the new aircraft, according to the Japanese official. .
A joint project between the two countries to develop a fighter jet and other air combat technologies was announced by the ministry on December 22. The Japanese official said the cooperation aims to “reduce development cost and technical risk”.
Japan has begun the primary design of a new fighter to replace the Mitsubishi F-2, which is derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and is expected to replace it from 2035, but the official said it was not possible to estimate how much replacements would cost. “We will continue to develop and at that time we will be able to deploy new fighters,” he said.
Japan wants to develop stealth fighters with new sensors and improved networking capabilities, he said. In Japan, it is customary for some government spokesmen to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.
“Cooperation with the UK is a significant step in the evolution of Japanese security policy: doing more and doing it with more partners,” said Brad Glosserman, deputy director and visiting professor at the Center for Rulemaking Strategies at Tama University in Tokyo. in an email Wednesday.
“The two countries have been working together on various components including sensors and motors for some time now,” he said. “It’s another thing to build a full fighter jet.”
Translation and Adaptation: DAN
Source: Stars and Stripes
