Japan vs China
– Photo: iStock
Japan announced Friday that it wants to jointly develop next-generation fighter jets with Britain and Italy as part of expanding defense cooperation beyond its traditional ally the United States. Under this, a new generation of aircraft will be made in place of the Mitsubishi F-X fighter jet F-2 jointly developed by Japan-US. Just four days before this announcement, PM Fumio Kishida also announced a huge increase in defense spending for the next 5 years. These steps of Japan are being considered as a big blow for China.
This agreement of Japan, Britain and Italy regarding the development of fighter planes has special significance for it to compete with the growing power of China. Now Japan’s FX and Britain’s Tempest will be added to the next generation of fighters for Tenati in 2035. With this agreement, Britain will get a bigger presence in the Indo-Pacific region. To meet Japan’s five-year spending plan of 4.3 trillion yen ($316 billion), the government would need an additional 4 trillion yen ($30 billion) in annual defense spending, which would be funded by a one-quarter tax increase. This is a major change in the country’s self-defense policy after Japan’s defeat in World War II in 1945. Its purpose is to increase Japan’s strength to counter the growing threats from China and North Korea.
Agreement is special in the Indo-Pacific region
This agreement is very special for the Indo-Pacific region. According to this, the UK-led Future Combat Air System will also be included in the project. Apart from this, Japan’s FX program will also get a place in it. This agreement has been reached in the three countries at a time when the Russia-Ukraine war is going on and China has stepped up aggressive military action against Taiwan and Japan. Experts believe that Japan will be able to deal with the threat of neighboring China with this deal. At the same time, Britain’s role in the security of this region will also increase, which contributes significantly to global economic development.
Big message to America too
Through this deal, Japan has also given a big message to its friend and ally America. For the first time after World War II, leaving America, Japan has taken forward such a big defense project. Japan had earlier chosen US company Lockheed Martin for this but later it has now joined hands with Britain and Italy. Japanese experts say that by 2035, it will be a very challenging task to make a state-of-the-art fighter jet to compete with China’s fifth generation fighter jet.