Saudi Arabia has become the latest country to show interest in a joint U.K., Italy and Japan effort to build a sixth generation fighter within the next 10 years. The Global Combat Air Programme is a three-way split between BAE Systems in the U.K., Leonardo of Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop the plane. All would have an equal share and no single country would control the program. Last week, Canada was also mentioned as a potential participant in the program. Canada has said it's reviewing its order for 88 F-35 fifth generation fighters given its suddenly fractured relationship with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia was not allowed to buy F-35s because they could potentially be used against Israel.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/europe-japan-sixth-generation-fighter-program-gathering-steam