The next generation fighter jet would replace Japan’s retiring F-2s that it jointly developed with the U.S. and Britain’s Tempest. The ministers met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven defense ministers meeting in Naples, Italy. In Tokyo, Mitsubishi Heavy had a 1/10th model of the joint fighter jet on display for the first time and attracted visitors at a major aerospace exhibit last week. Akira Sugimoto, MHI’s Japan program senior representative for GCAP, said that the joint fighter jet development will be meaningful for Japanese suppliers and for the country’s industrial base. “Our basic position is to bring our strengths together to develop a high quality fighter jet.
