Regarding the development of the next fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the Ministry of Defense has decided to cooperate in the development of the aircraft, based on the fact that it is conducting joint research on engines with the United Kingdom.
The Ministry of Defense plans to develop the next fighter, which will be the successor to the F2 fighter of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, under the initiative of Japan. increase.
Also, based on the fact that at the summit meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom this month, they agreed to agree on an overall picture of cooperation between the two countries on the development of the next fighter aircraft by the end of this year. , The Ministry of Defense has decided to make adjustments in the direction of cooperating in the development of the aircraft.
Specifically, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which oversees the whole and is also in charge of the aircraft, will discuss cooperation with BAE Systems in the United Kingdom.
Since it has been more than 40 years since the last time a domestic company led the development of a fighter aircraft for the development of the next fighter aircraft, we will receive technical support from Lockheed Martin of the United States.
However, following the engine, the aircraft will also be researched and developed jointly with the United Kingdom, so we will also consider how the participating companies should cooperate.
The Ministry of Defense hopes to begin deploying the next fighter by around 2035, when the F2 fighter will begin to retire.