Japan, U.K. to develop common airframe for next-gen fighters

The joint development of a next-generation ghter jet for Japan and the United Kingdom will likely involve a common airframe, e Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. Arrangements to integrate the development plans are in the nal stages, according to sources.

e two governments have made the decision a er concluding that jointly developing a common airframe could reduce costs because the performance requirements for both the Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Air Force are almost identical, according to several government sources.

e Japanese government will include the related costs in the budget request for the scal year starting April 2023 and decide on the development overview by the end of this year.

Japan plans to introduce the next-generation ghter in the mid2030s, when the F-2 ghter jet will start to be taken out of service. e aim is to develop a stealth aircra , equipped with high-performance radar and sensors, capable of operating with a large number of drones in combat.

Initially, Japan sought support for the new ghter from U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp., but there were di culties with the arrangements.

e United Kingdom previously had a plan to work with Italy and Sweden to develop the Tempest as the successor to its mainstay Euro ghter Typhoon, with deployment envisaged by 2035.

Subsequently, Tokyo and London agreed that it would be appropriate for the two governments to develop the same fuselage because they seek almost the same performance requirements for the aircra , which will also be developed around the same time frame. e joint e ort is also expected to reduce costs that are estimated to exceed ¥1 trillion and improve production e ciency.

Italy is also considering taking part in the Japan-U.K. joint project. Lockheed Martin’s involvement is expected to be limited to ensuring interoperability with U.S. military aircra .

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and BAE Systems PLC, a major British aircra and defense company, will likely take the lead in the development, overseeing the design of the airframe and overall system. Italian aircra and defense giant Leonardo S.p.A. may also join the project. Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Leonardo’s U.K. subsidiary are expected to produce the radar. Major Japanese heavy industrial company IHI Corp. and Rolls-Royce PLC will be in charge of engine development, while an Italian company is also considering its participation in the project.

e United Kingdom jointly developed the Euro ghter Typhoon with countries such as Germany and Italy.

is ghter jet has been exported to countries from Austria to Saudi Arabia.

With a view to exporting the next-generation ghter, the Japanese government will intensify discussions on revising the operational guidelines for the ree Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology.

Under the operational guidelines, Japan allows the overseas transfer of defense equipment, including parts, to countries with which it has cooperative security relationships. However, the purposes are limited mainly to rescue, transportation, warning and surveillance operations, and the export of nished products such as ghters and destroyers is restricted.

Taking this into consideration, the government is considering stipulating a plan to review the operational guidelines in the National Security Strategy, which is scheduled to be revised at the end of the year. (Aug. 15)