Tempest fighter jet in the running for Japan’s F-X programme

Japan is looking for a foreign partner to develop its new sixth generation fighter jet, the F-X, after announcing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the main contractor last week.

The country is upgrading its fleet of fighters, and the new units are for launch in 2030s.

The next generation fighter jet, currently known as F-X, will replace the F-2 that was co-developed with the US. The F-2 is due to be retired around 2035.

“We will steadily push forward the development of our next generation fighter jets,” defence minister Nobuo Kishi said.

For the F-2, MHI had collaborated with Lockheed Martin to produce a fighter based on the F-16. A similar joint venture with a foreign company has been selected for the F-X.

A decision on a foreign partner for the development of the aircraft will be made before the end of this year. Possible candidates include Lockheed Martin in the US and BAE Systems in the UK.

The UK is now working on the Tempest future fighter, which will include new technologies including direct energy weapons, hypersonic weapons, optional manning and swarming drones. It is currently under development by a consortium including the Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo and MBDA.

A recent PwC report showed the Tempest will support 20,000 jobs every year from 2026-2050 and contribute more than £25.3 billion to the UK economy in its first 30 years.

It is one of the UK’s most ambitious technological endeavours, designed to deliver a highly advanced, adaptable and affordable military combat air system which will play a key role in the nation’s defence and security.

Along with meeting a major military requirement, the programme is expected to deliver significant benefits to the UK over its full lifetime. It will preserve sovereign capability whilst investing in highly skilled jobs, with a specific focus on young people, developing technology and infrastructure, and will support the wider economy and long-term prosperity of the UK.

The jet is meant to enter service in 2035 and replace the Eurofighter Typhoons currently used by the RAF and Italian Air Force.

There has been discussion in the past about Japan becoming another potential Tempest partner, and the target of getting the F-X into service by 2035 matches with the Tempest’s development.

MHI will decide on other participants in the project, including avionics, engine and other parts makers. Japan also is considering co-developing some parts with foreign contractors.