Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has bagged the tender for creating the latest stealth fighter jet said Japan on Friday. The company will forsee the developmental work for new fighter jets for the country.
Japan wants them operational by mid-2030s, and they would counter the new generation of Chinese aircraft.
The project has provided a new lease of life to MHI, which had withdrawn its plans for building SpaceJets, passenger aircraft for regional operations following the cash crunch and economic slowdown triggered by COVID-19 pandemic for airline companies.
Reportedly, the cost of jets would be around $ 40 billion. Interestingly, it came on the expected lines as MHI is the only company in Japan that manufacturers stealth jetplanes. Also, no other firm raised their hands to grab the contract.
However, Japan will look out for other partners and suppliers later on. Notably, the defence ministry of Japan in April had asked for a fund of $730 million for research and development purpose in the field of fighter jets. They were referred to as F-3 and F-X.