Japan, U.K. and Italy to invite Saudi Arabia to next-gen fighter project

Trio looks to leverage Riyadh's financial resources while ensuring security compliance

20241129 fighter jet

A new next-gen fighter will replace Japan's F-2 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, with Japan aiming to deploy the plane around 2035. (Photo by Tsuyoshi Tamehiro) 

TOMOHIRO EBUCHI, SOTARO YUMAE and RIEKO MIKI, Nikkei staff writers

LONDON/TOKYO -- Japan, the U.K. and Italy are in talks to bring Saudi Arabia into their next-generation fighter jet development program, Japanese and British sources told Nikkei. The three countries hope to tap into the kingdom's substantial financial resources, while the Saudis hopes to foster their domestic defense industry.

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