U.K. 'exploring' Saudi entry to fighter jet project with Italy and Japan

British GCAP point man urges deal this year to launch 3-way government body

Royal Air Force Typhoons are parked at in Linconshire, U.K. The U.K., Italy and Japan are jointly developing next-generation fighter jets for delivery in 2035. © Pool photo/Reuters

TOMOHIRO EBUCHI and RHYANNON BARTLETT-IMADEGAWA, Nikkei staff writers

September 24, 2023 17:30 JST

LONDON -- The U.K. is "exploring" Saudi participation in the joint next-generation fighter jet project with Italy and Japan, its British point man told Nikkei in a recent interview.

Launched in December, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a public-private initiative centered around Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It aims to deliver an advanced jet by 2035.