[bitontheslide]

Rishi Sunak is set to announce a collaboration between the UK, Italy and Japan to develop a new fighter jet that uses artificial intelligence.

The prime minister says the joint venture aims to create thousands of UK jobs and strengthen security ties.

The nations will develop a next generation fighter - due to enter service in the mid-2030s - that will eventually replace the Typhoon jet.

It is hoped the new Tempest jet will carry the latest weapons.

Work on developing it is already under way - with the aim to create a combat aircraft that will provide speed stealth, use advanced sensors and even artificial intelligence to assist the human pilot when they are overwhelmed, or under extreme stress.

It could also be flown without a pilot's input if required and could be able to fire hypersonic missiles.

But building such a complex aircraft is extremely expensive - developing the F35 jet was the most expensive programme ever undertaken by the Pentagon - so Britain has been looking for partners.

Italy was already on board, and the addition of Japan is a significant move - at a time when Britain is building closer ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific region worried about a more assertive China.

Other countries could still join the programme. France, Germany and Spain are already working together on their own separate design - as is the United States.

For the UK, this agreement is not just about security but also economics. The hope is that developing a new fighter jet could create and sustain thousands of UK jobs and open doors to more arms exports.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63908284

Love it

[arista]

[The nations will develop a next generation fighter - due to
enter service in the mid-2030s - that will eventually
replace the Typhoon jet.]

Yes Future Plans
but will Starmer the potential new Prime Minister
keep,this plan

[Soldier Boy]

Originally Posted by arista

[The nations will develop a next generation fighter - due to
enter service in the mid-2030s - that will eventually
replace the Typhoon jet.]

Yes Future Plans
but will Starmer the potential new Prime Minister
keep,this plan

If it's already agreed/in motion no future prime minister would scrap an international deal like that, it would be a diplomatic nightmare with the countries involved.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Soldier Boy

If it's already agreed/in motion no future prime minister would scrap an international deal like that, it would be a diplomatic nightmare with the countries involved.

Yes Good Points
SB

[UserSince2005]

All good fun until the Japanese start using them on their kamikaze missions.