S/ Kihara Minoru, Japanese Defense Minister: We agreed to strongly commit ourselves to aiming for the deployment of the first next-generation fighter jet in 2035.

Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru confirmed in the meeting in London on July 23 that the Japan, UK, and Italy jointly developed next-generation fighter jet will be deployed in 2035.

According to some sources, the UK may reconsider its participation in the joint-development of the next-gen fighter following a change in government and a review of its defense policy.

Kihara told reporters that the UK explained the future process concerning the review of its defense policy and emphasized that there were no concerns of them pulling out.

He stressed that the joint development would proceed.