Saudi Arabia to help develop ‘next generation' stealth fighter
An artist's rendition of the next-generation fighter jet that Japan, Britain and Italy have been developing. (Provided by BAE Systems)
Japan, Britain and Italy are almost ready to bring Saud Arabia on board in the development of a next-generation fighter aircraft, Japanese government officials told The Asahi Shimbun on May 2.
The move is part of a multinational initiative dubbed the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) to jointly develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter.
Saudi Arabia would be a 'partner country' in the project.
Saudi Arabia has been seeking formal participation under the GIGO treaty, an intergovernmental organization that manages the development of fighter jets.
The three countries decided at the end of 2022 to jointly develop the next generation fighter aircraft. Soon afterward, Saudi Arabia said it wanted in.
Both Britain and Italy are eager to tap Saudi Arabia's oil-based financial resources, but Japan is concerned about development delays if another negotiating partner is added, as well as maintaining security secrecy, citing arms transactions involving Saudi Arabia, China and Russia.
In talks held in mid-April, Riyadh did not insist on early participation as a formal member.
As Tokyo does not expect Saudi Arabia to be directly involved in project development, it wants to limit Riyadh's cooperation to financial and other aspects.
Even so, Japan, along with Britain and Italy, are working toward formal participation by Saudi Arabia under the treaty, but on condition that Saudi Arabia demonstrates beefed up technical capabilities and information security measures.
(This article was written by Mizuki Sato and Taro Ono)
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