Tokyo: Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Tuesday that he will hold a meeting with his British and Italian counterparts in Tokyo on Thursday.

The three nations are set to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet for Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force.

“I want to confirm the three countries’ unity and strong commitment to the joint development project” through the trilateral talks, Hamada told a press conference.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto will attend the Tokyo meeting.

Japan, Britain and Italy agreed on the joint project last December. Japan plans to deploy the new fighter at the ASDF by 2035.

JIJI Press