Japan and the UK want to develop an air-to-air missile for the sixth-generation fighter jet

Japan is developing a sixth-generation fighter jet as part of a project jointly with Italy and the UK. The Land of the Rising Sun intends to develop a missile for it.

Here's What We Know

Japan wants to arm the sixth-generation fighter with a domestically developed air-to-air missile rather than MBDA's Meteor. This was the recommendation from a study organised by Japanese and British experts. MBDA also recommends doing the same.

Building a new missile is a more favourable solution for the first batches of sixth-generation fighters in terms of a combination of price and quality. In the future, Japan may consider buying missiles that will be used to arm aircraft for the UK Royal Air Force and the Italian Air Force.

The fighter is being developed under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). It will be ready for entry into service in the middle of the next decade alongside its Chinese and American counterparts. The sixth-generation fighter will replace 90 F-2 aircraft of the Japanese Air Force, as well as 240 European Eurofighter Typhoon of the Royal British Air Force and Italian Air Force.

The new missile will be jointly developed by Japanese and British specialists. It will receive an engine from Meteora and an advanced radar guidance head made by Mitsubishi.

Source: Kyodo News