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Britain and Japan aim to merge Tempest and F-X fighter programs, sources say

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moonstone_laura
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Britain and Japan aim to merge Tempest and F-X fighter programs, sources say

Post by moonstone_laura » Wed Jul 27, 2022 8:42 am

From 'The Japan Times':

Tokyo/London – Britain and Japan are close to an agreement to merge their next-generation Tempest and F-X fighter jet programs, with the two countries aiming for a deal on a new joint project by year-end, three sources told Reuters.

It would be the first time Japan has sought a non-U.S. partner for a large military program and the first major collaboration between Tokyo and London, going beyond what had been expected when industrial talks began five years ago.

“This would be an equal partnership between Japan and Britain,” said one of the sources with knowledge of the plan. It will cost tens of billions of dollars, he added.

The push to combine the Japanese F-X program, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with Britain’s Tempest, managed by BAE Systems, by December has not previously been reported.

The sources asked to remain anonymous because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

“The main thing that we are aiming for is to build a common jet, that may have small differences in design for each country,” said another of the sources.

Britain could handle exports in Europe, while Japan would take care of the Asian market, another of the three sources said.

Collaboration would spread development costs, while exporting would increase production lots and reduce the price per plane.

It would represent a deepening of security ties between the two close U.S. allies. London is taking on a bigger military role in Asia under a strategic “tilt” towards the Indo-Pacific region, and Tokyo is expanding defense cooperation beyond Washington.

Japan’s policy, pushed by late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to strengthen Tokyo’s hand against neighboring China, has taken on new urgency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The switch to a European partner comes as Japan’s defense spending rises, with the budget expected to double over the coming decade as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sticks with Abe’s national security agenda and fulfills an election pledge to “substantially” increase military outlays.

“We would like to decide how we can cooperate by the end of this year, and are considering various possibilities,” Japan’s Defense Ministry said.

Britain’s defense ministry had no immediate comment. The country’s air force head, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, told a conference on Thursday that Britain is “exploring partnering opportunities and sharing our technological expertise with a range of international partners, including Japan and Italy.”

Mitsubishi Heavy and BAE declined to comment.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/ ... t-program/

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22A
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Re: Britain and Japan aim to merge Tempest and F-X fighter programs, sources say

Post by 22A » Thu Jul 28, 2022 4:59 pm

Oh dear, this has upset the Americans....
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compani ... IE11FREDHP

DanH
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Re: Britain and Japan aim to merge Tempest and F-X fighter programs, sources say

Post by DanH » Fri Jul 29, 2022 2:24 pm

22A wrote:
Thu Jul 28, 2022 4:59 pm
Oh dear, this has upset the Americans....
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compani ... IE11FREDHP
What a shame :whistle:

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