Japan, UK, Italy Sign Joint Fighter Jet Treaty

Japan, Britain and Italy signed Thursday a treaty formalizing plans to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet to pool resources and better face new threats.

"This combat air aircraft, due to take to the skies by 2035, aims to harness next-generation technologies and become one of the world's most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service globally," Britain's defense ministry said after the signing in Tokyo, AFP reported.

"The supersonic stealth jet will boast a powerful radar that can provide 10,000 times more data than current systems, giving a battle-winning advantage," the statement said.