Japan Chooses Mitsubishi To Lead The Development Of A New Stealth Fighter Jet

The logo of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is seen at the company's Sagamihara plant in Sagamihara, Japan, July 4, 2016. REUTERS/Maki Shiraki/File Photo 

Reuters: Japan picks Mitsubishi Heavy to lead development of new stealth jet fighter 

Japan on Friday said it had picked Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 7011.T (MHI) to lead the development of a new stealth fighter jet that Japan wants operational by the mid-2030s to counter advanced Chinese aircraft. 

“We awarded the prime contract to Mitsubishi Heavy,” a ministry of defence spokesman said. The fighter jet project, which is expected to cost about $40 billion, comes at an opportune time for MHI, as the company is pulling back from plans to build its SpaceJet regional passenger aircraft as coronavirus travel curbs leave airlines with little cash to buy new planes. 

The decision was expected because MHI is Japan’s only jet fighter manufacturer, and no other company bid for the contract. Other suppliers and partners will most likely be identified by the end of the year. 

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Update #1: Japan picks Mitsubishi Heavy to develop own stealth fighter (AP) 

Update #2: Japan names contractor to build its future fighter jet (Defense News) 

WNU Editor: Japan wants to support its military industrial base. This is putting money where its mouth is.