The whole picture of the "next fighter" that has come to be seen Why Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom?Each role

The entire next fighter introduced by the Air Self -Defense Force is visible.It will be a joint development project in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, but why was joint development with foreign countries emphasized in the first place?Looking back on the background and development system.

The demonstration business of the next fighter engine is with the UK

　The whole "next fighter" in Japan is visible.The Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, in collaboration with the UK with the British demonstration project, which succeeds the F-2 fighter of the JASDF.

　In order to determine the direction of the next fighter, three methods were examined in three methods: "solo development of new aircraft" or "joint development", and "introduction of improved existing fighters", and the government finally 2018.In the current Defense Counterfeit and Medium -Term Defense Development Plan, which was decided on December 18, the Cabinet decided to "develop under Japan with a view to cooperation with foreign countries."

　From a pure national defense point of view, it is desirable to develop alone defense equipment, not just fighters, but the fact that the F-35 development costs that the Air Self-Defense Force are introducing exceeds 6 trillion yen.As is said, modern fighters are becoming more difficult to cover the development costs in a country, as the development costs are rising with high performance.

　Co -development can be expected to reduce development costs, but development may be difficult due to differences in the speculation of the participating countries.The F-2 fighter operated by the Air Self-Defense Force was jointly developed by Japan and the United States based on the F-16 fighter, but the United States discloses the blueprints of flight control programs called "source code".Due to the refusal, it has been forced to extend the period required for development and spend additional development costs.

　The next fighter is required to complete the development by 2035, when the F-2 is expected to start retirement.At the same time, it is hoped that Japan will reduce development costs as much as possible, as the national finances are more tight compared to the 1980s and 1990s, which developed the F-2.For this reason, the government has developed the next fighter with the aim of reducing development costs and shortening the development period, with "cooperation with foreign countries".

[Is the "contents" almost decided?] See in the next British fighter image that is considered to be common to the next fighter