Why Japan’s fighter jet future looks ‘more optimistic’ with Canada’s entry

Canada’s decision to take a role in the next-generation Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has eased Japan’s fears over its fighter jet future, while Germany is also reported to be exploring whether it could join the project that also involves Britain and Italy. The moves could give fresh momentum to GCAP, a programme to develop a next-generation fighter that Japan sees as critical to replacing its ageing F-2 fleet and avoiding a gap in its air defences, analysts say. Tokyo has been frustrate...

By Julian Ryall