TOKYO, July 7 -- Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) issued the following news release:
On July 7, 2025, commencing at 17:00 for approximately 2 hours, Defense Minister Nakatani virtually attended the Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting via teleconference, with the Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and H.E. Mr. Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense of the Italian Republic. At this meeting, the three Ministers discussed the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral collaboration to jointly develop the next-generation fighter aircraft.
The three Ministers welcomed the announcement on 20 June by industry to officially launch Edgewing, a Joint Venture that brings together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan).
The three Ministers also welcomed the opening of the new headquarters in Reading for the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and Edgewing. The GIGO and Edgewing will work together from the HQ, under the streamlined governance structure, delivering the programme at pace alongside teams from across the three nations.
The three Ministers reaffirmed their strong and personal commitment to the programme, and confirmed to accelerate all the necessary work to conclude the first international contract between the GIGO and Edgewing by the end of this year. They also spoke of deepening trilateral cooperation for the shared objectives of GCAP and ensuring its continued success.
The rest of the document can be viewed at https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2025/07/f3027ff3e396f4baa8748170a201c7950a4faa83.html
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
