Officials at the Japan DSEI arms show hinted that Japan could potentially be the next partner nation for the British-led next-generation fighter program, Tempest, which is being developed under the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. Japan has been involved with elements of the program since 2020, but according to a 16 September article posted by DefenceNews, the relationship is rumoured to develop further in the next few years.
UK program director, Air Commodore Johnny Moreton, explained: “We’ve been in negotiation, conversations and some pilot projects—nothing necessarily too complex at the moment”.