Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan have formed an "unprecedented" alliance in the defense sector for the development and construction of the fighter of the future , a sixth generation supersonic jet intended to replace the current Eurofighter Typhoon (the result collaboration between Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain).
The new fighter aircraft will be called the Tempest and is expected to be operational in 2035, with development starting in 2024 .
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced it , confirming the recent rumors. “The security of the United Kingdom, both today and for generations to come, will always be of paramount importance to this Government. That is why we must stay at the forefront of advances in defense technology, outpacing and defeating those who seek to harm us,” Sunak said.
It is the first time that Tokyo has participated in a defense project of this level with other countries other than the US and it is the first post-Brexit agreement of this magnitude for London. Talks between Tokyo and London on the issue began in 2017 and Rome joined in 2019, reports the Sun.
Seen from London, this signature marks a change of course after decades of collaboration with EU countries (for the Eurofighter) .
The agreement comes after Germany, France and Spain reached "a political agreement" last month after so much turmoil over the FCAS - Future Combat Air System project , which at this point is confirmed as a parallel plan entirely EU-branded, as it concerns the creation of a new generation multi-role fighter system which also aims to at least partially replace current combat aircraft, such as the Eurofighters, starting from 2040.
The FCAS project is not just about jets but an entire system of aircraft, both manned and unmanned drones, working together for combat and reconnaissance.
(Unioneonline/D)
