Amid rising geopolitical tensions across the globe, United Kingdom’s PM Keir Starmer has recently greenlighted a new multibillion-pound fighter jet.
UK Clears World’s Most Advanced Jet Deal
Amid rising geopolitical tensions across the globe, United Kingdom’s PM Keir Starmer has recently greenlighted a new multibillion-pound fighter jet with Italy and Japan that could be the only one to exist after US to be a sixth-generation jet. As per the ambitious project, GCAP is intended to expand each nation’s defence capabilities to address rising threats from Russia and China. It merges Japan’s F-X programme with the UK and Italy’s Tempest project, with the aim of delivering a supersonic jet by 2035.
Britain’s biggest defence companies, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, are working together alongside industrial partners Leonardo of Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan on the programme. The Global Combat Air Programme strategically important partnership, bringing together the governments of the UK, Italy and Japan, and their respective industries, led by BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) to collaborate on shared military and industrial objectives in the delivery of a next generation combat air capability.
Why is Tempest so special?
The combat aircraft, called Tempest in the UK, is set to be in service in 2035 and will be one of the world’s most advanced, interoperable, and adaptable and connected fighter jets in service. It will boast an advanced intelligent weapons system, a software-driven interactive cockpit, integrated sensors and a powerful next generation radar capable of providing 10,000 times more data than current systems, giving it a battle-winning advantage.
Currently, US has the most advanced aircraft
The three nations are committed to developing the stealth fighter jet by 2035. The UK’s Defense Minister stated that the country is a proud member of the Global Combat Air Program and is working alongside Japan and Italy with a clear focus on creating this sixth-generation fighter jet by 2035. If completed on time, this aircraft would be the world’s second advanced sixth-generation fighter after the American B-21 Raider bomber. The B-21 Raider was developed by the American company Northrop Grumman.
To replace F-2s, Eurofighter Typhoons
The next-generation stealth fighter jet would replace Japan’s retiring F-2s that it jointly developed with the U.S., and Eurofighter Typhoons, which were produced in partnership with the U.K, Italy, Spain and Germany.
