Rishi Sunak is set to announce a collaboration between Britain, 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 jobs in the UK and strengthen security ties.
The nations will develop the next-generation fighter jet – due to enter service in the mid-2030s – which will eventually replace the Typhoon jet.
The new Tempest jet is expected to carry the latest weapons.
Work is already underway to develop it – which aims to create a fighter jet that will provide speed stealth, use advanced sensors and even artificial intelligence to assist human pilots when they are overwhelmed. , or be under extreme stress.
It can also be flown without pilot input if required and is capable of firing hypersonic missiles.
But building such a complex aircraft is extremely expensive – developing the F35 jet was the Pentagon’s most expensive program to date – so Britain is looking for partners.
Italy was already involved, and Japan’s addition is an important move – at a time when Britain is building closer ties with its allies in the Indo-Pacific region and is concerned about China.
Other countries may still join the program. France, Germany and Spain are already working together on their own separate designs – as is the US.
For Britain, this deal is not only about security but also about economics. It is hoped that developing a new fighter jet will create and sustain thousands of jobs in the UK and open the door to further arms exports.
Mr Sunak will launch the first major phase of the program during a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Friday.
Ahead of the visit, he said: “Britain’s security, today and for generations to come, will always be of paramount importance to this government.
“That’s why we need to stay on the cutting edge of advances in defense technology – to outsmart and outmaneuver those who want to harm us.
“The international partnership we announced today with Italy and Japan aims to do just that, underscoring that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is indivisible.
“The next generation of warplanes designed by us will protect us and our allies around the world by harnessing the power of our defense industry – saving lives and creating jobs.”
John Healy, Labour’s shadow defense secretary, said his party supported the partnership but warned about training.
“Ministers must clarify how this fits with the RAF’s wider plans for the future, including how they will prevent delays in fast jet pilot training,” he said.
