Overview

• UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Japan’s Defence Minister Nakatani Gen announced the future deployment in Tokyo on Aug. 28.
• The plan includes supporting transport aircraft and unit-to-unit exchanges alongside the Royal Air Force.
• Officials cited recent interoperability milestones, including Operation Highmast and the first UK F-35B landing on the Japanese carrier JS Kaga.
• Both governments reaffirmed commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme, with a goal to conclude the inaugural contract between the GIGO and the industry joint venture Edgewing by the end of 2025.
• A joint communiqué criticized China, North Korea and Iran for support to Russia as the partners deepen security cooperation across multiple domains.