Japan, U.K., Italy to Extend Fighter Project Contract

Tokyo, July 3 (Jiji Press)--Japan, Britain and Italy are in the final stages of talks on extending a contract for their program to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet until the end of 2027, Japanese government officials said Friday.

The contract related to the Global Combat Air Program expired at the end of June.

Britain, which faces financial difficulties, announced a defense investment plan Tuesday that includes its share of 8.6 billion pounds for the GCAP.

Japan's Defense Ministry, which had anticipated a possible reduction in Britain's contribution, is relieved at the announcement. A senior ministry official described the contribution as a "necessary amount."

The contract extension will be concluded by the GCAP International Government Organization, which oversees the development, and Edgewing, a joint venture established by companies from the three countries for designing the next-generation fighter model.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]