Japan's IHI to open offices in U.K., Italy for next-generation fighter jet

Move marks first overseas step for Japanese companies involved in program

IHI, Rolls-Royce and Avio Aero are among the companies involved in developing the fighter jet. (Source images by Japan's Defense Ministry, Arata Shigeno)

ARATA SHIGENO, Nikkei staff writer

March 13, 2024 00:42 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese industrial group IHI plans to establish development centers in the U.K. and Italy for a joint effort by Japan and the two countries to build a next-generation fighter jet, Nikkei has learned.

IHI will exchange information at these centers with Rolls-Royce and other companies involved in engine development for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which seeks to deploy the new jet by 2035.