Japan’s plans to develop a next-generation fighter jet alongside Britain and Italy have taken a significant step forward, with the top companies involved formally agreeing Friday to establish a joint venture by the middle of next year that will be in charge of delivering the aircraft.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the new business тАФ comprising BritainтАЩs BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and the Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. (JAIEC), a joint venture launched in July between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies тАФ will be responsible for the industrial side of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP).
тАЬThe new joint venture will be accountable for the design, development and delivery of the next-generation combat aircraft and will remain the design authority for GCAP for the life of the product, which is expected to go out beyond 2070,тАЭ the companies said in a joint statement.
