Japan has decided to develop a successor to its aging F-2 fighter jet jointly with both the United States and Britain instead of picking only one partner, government sources said Wednesday. Under the plan, Japan will work with either of the two partners depending on the parts for the Air Self-Defense Force's mainstay fighter aircraft, according to the sources.
By partnering with the two countries, the Japanese government hopes to keep one country from exercising excessive influence on the development program while ensuring interoperability, reliability and cost efficiency, the sources said.
Japan aims to start developing a prototype of the new fighter jet in fiscal 2024 for deployment in fiscal 2035 when the current F-2s' retirement will begin...MORE
