Key points
- Japan, UK and Italy were in talks about Saudi Arabia’s participation
- The 3 countries are developing a new fighter jet intended to enter service in 2035
- Italy became first nation to express official support for Riyadh’s participation
ISLAMABAD: Japan is preparing to bring Saudi Arabia on board in upcoming talks with the UK and Italian defence chiefs concerning the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet.
According to Nikkei, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani visits Italy in early May to meet with his counterparts from the UK and Italy.
In January, the Japan Times reported that Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy were in talks about Saudi Arabia’s participation in the joint development of their new sixth-generation fighter jet.
The three countries were developing a new fighter jet intended to enter service in 2035.
In favour of Saudi Arabia
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni previously said Italy is in favour of Saudi Arabia joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Meloni became the first of the three nations’ leaders to express official support for Riyadh’s participation in the GCAP.
“Clearly this … will not be immediate because in the meantime we must conclude all the work as a three-way with the governments of Great Britain and Japan,” Meloni said, speaking to journalists after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia in January.
The UK, which has supplied Saudi Arabia with Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets among other defence equipment, is also in favour of Saudi Arabia’s entry, the Japan Times reported.
