SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The leaders of Japan, Britain and Italy strengthened their commitment to collaborate on a next-generation fighter aircraft project, marking a key milestone in their defense partnership.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), uniting aerospace leaders Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems and Leonardo, targets deployment of the advanced fighter jet by 2035, officials said on Tuesday during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told his British and Italian counterparts that the joint development program, merging each nation's technologies, will serve as the basis for cooperation over the coming decades.
The three democratic nations, which initiated the ambitious project in December 2022, view the collaboration as essential to enhancing their air defense capabilities while reinforcing shared values including democracy and the rule of law.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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