(Press Release)
July 23, 2024
Ministry of Defense Japan
On July 23, 2024, commencing at 11:45 (local time) for approximately 1 hour, Defense Minister Kihara attended the Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting in London with the Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and H.E. Mr. Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defence of the Italian Republic.
Minister Kihara congratulated Secretary Healey on his appointment and, with the hope of deepening robust security and defense partnership based on the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, Minister Kihara conveyed his willingness to closely work together on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the ambitious trilateral endeavor to develop a next-generation fighter, and collaboratively lead its way to success. The three ministers confirmed the importance of protecting regional peace and stability amid increasingly severe security environment and concurred to remain strongly committed to managing the preparatory work for the 2024 establishment of GCAP International Government Organization (GIGO) and accomplishing the 2035 in-service date of the aircraft.
