UK, Japan will develop a joint engine for next-gen fighters

By Boyko Nikolov

LONDON, ($1=0.75 British Pounds) – United Kingdom and Japan are starting joint work on the development of an engine for the next generation of Tempest and F-X fighters, learned BulgarianMilitary.com, citing a press release from the British Ministry of Defense.

UK, Japan will develop a joint engine for next-gen fighters
Photo credit: Rolls-Royce

The two countries have already signed a memorandum of co-operation, with the UK immediately investing £ 30m next year in spending on planning, digital design, and innovation. A crucial part of UK’s Combat Air Strategy, backed by £ 2 billion over the next four years.

The British company Rolls-Royce in Filton in Bristol will be one of the main drivers of the project, and they are expected to develop a full-scale demonstration power supply system that will provide thousands of jobs and additional funding of at least 200 million pounds from the British budget.

This joint program will support the development of the two next-generation fighters that the world will expect in the next four years – the British stealth fighter Tempest and the Japanese stealth fighter next-generation F-X. It is Japan’s future fighter jet that must replace existing Japanese F-2 aircraft.

“Strengthening our partnerships in the Indo-Pacific is a strategic priority and this commitment with Japan, one of our closest security partners in Asia, is a clear example of that,” said UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace in a statement. “A brand-new combat air system with a fighter aircraft at its heart is a highly ambitious project so working with like-minded nations is vital. Building on the technological and industrial strengths of our two countries, we will be exploring a wide-ranging partnership across next-generation combat air technologies. “

According to UK Director Future Combat Air, Richard Berthon’s partnership with Japan on this project is essential, as the UK is convinced that Japanese engineers have made significant and huge advances in this type of technology. Berthon also says that the Japanese experience will be key and will help in the efforts to develop new innovative military solutions.

BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that in October there were signals that Britain and Japan could agree to develop future projects, especially after HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group sailed to Japan on her first operational deployment.

Alex Zino, Director of Business Development and Future Programs at Rolls-Royce, said the program enables a team to remember engineers and specialists who have proven to develop some of the best possible air combat capabilities in the world. According to Zino, the future of the aerospace industry marks a new era of development, believing that this partnership will give birth to new innovative and critical technologies.

***

Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news, follow our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages. Subscribe to our Newsletter and read our stories in News360App in AppStore or GooglePlay or in FeedlyApp in AppStore or GooglePlay. Our standards: Manifesto & ethical princliples.