Japan widens foreign access to F-X fighter project

Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has published a notice inviting foreign companies to engage with its project to develop next-generation fighter aircraft.

The notice – issued on 25 August – invites firms to be involved in the development phase of the F-X project and the integration of related technologies and capabilities.

It states that the invite supports the MoD’s “procedures for collecting information” about next-generation fighter aircraft.

The Japanese MoD has issued a notice to invite foreign companies to share information about fighter-aircraft technologies in support of its project to develop the F-X fighter aircraft (pictured). (Japanese MoD)

The notice adds that this process also includes continuing discussions with companies from the United States and United Kingdom about their potential involvement in the development of the new aircraft.

“We will collect high-quality information,” the MoD notice says, “and start recruiting companies that are willing to provide that information.”

The MoD said foreign companies wishing to engage with the F-X project must be able to demonstrate a high “technology readiness level” in capabilities such as, technologies and designs for fixed-wing aircraft “including stealth drones”, and airborne missile systems including radars, sensors, electronic warfare equipment, data link equipment, and “systems integration technologies”.

In a press briefing on the same day, Japan’s Defence Minister Taro Kono said the deadline for companies willing to co-operate is 31 August.

“We are inviting companies to [support] the integration of the fighter aircraft,” said Kono. “We are currently exchanging information with the US and UK to deepen our consideration of international co-operation in this development project.”