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Britain, Italy, Japan Combine Forces to Build Fighter Jets

by VOA News

   Britain, Italy and Japan are combining their resources to create a new
   generation of fighter jets.

   "We are announcing the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) -- an ambitious
   endeavor to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035," the
   three nations said in a joint statement.

   Other countries, including the United States, may also join the
   collaborative jet-building effort.

   "We have begun important collaboration through a series of discussions
   on autonomous systems capabilities, which could complement Japan's next
   fighter program among other platforms," the United States and Japan
   said in a joint statement.

   The announcement of the development of the fighter jet comes as Russia,
   China and North Korea have become increasingly aggressive.