Italy’s foreign minister said that a partnership between Italy, Britain, and Japan to build an advanced fighter jet would likely be extended to include Saudi Arabia.
This statement also implies that Saudi Arabia has overcome Japanese objections and joined the UK-led New Generation Fighter Project.
The United Kingdom has extended its Next Generation Fighter Project to Italy, Sweden, and Japan. Following Sweden’s withdrawal, the UK found another option: Saudi Arabia. In the meantime, the three countries agreed in December 2022 to rename the project the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP).
Japan vetoed the Saudi Kingdom’s several attempts to join the GCAP.
Earlier this month, the three countries said they discussed expanding the project to new countries.
Reuters reported earlier that Saudi Arabia was among the candidates to become a junior partner in the program as the financial supporter of multi-billion projects.
Saudi Arabia Joins New Generation Fighter Project
