Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates

[hauritz]

Certainly I think Australia would be a welcome customer for GCAP. It has good relations with all three members, especially the UK (thanks, AUKUS). Japan would see the benefit of having a friendly state like Australia equipped with long range, sixth-gen aircraft. Italy would be happy for the extra income, even if it's a bit shruggy over the Pacific.

But a word of caution, Australia would be a customer, not a partner. The 2035 delivery window is vital for Japan, and unless Australia is already in discussions about joining there simply won't be time to reorganise work shares and the like. Maybe it could be involved in the project down the road, but not as a core member.

One benefit of joining GCAP is that we might be able to do a reciprocal deal with the MQ-28.

I know Japan is already considering the Ghost Bat for their combat support unmanned aircraft program.

Boeing Japan Secures ATLA Contract for Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle Simulations - Asian Military Review

On December 10, ATLA announced a contract with Boeing Japan for research and development of combat UAVs with manned aircraft.

www.asianmilitaryreview.com

 

[StingrayOZ]

But a word of caution, Australia would be a customer, not a partner. The 2035 delivery window is vital for Japan, and unless Australia is already in discussions about joining there simply won't be time to reorganise work shares and the like. Maybe it could be involved in the project down the road, but not as a core member.

I don't think that would be a big problem. It would be british or japanese subsidiaries that would likely be doing anything here anyway.
If anything 2035 is maybe too late. We would want key integration and FOC before we got delivery.

It would depend on if the plane is going to be focused on just air to air, or maritime patrol and strike with significant air to air capability. If its just air to air, it will be of no interest to Australia. So its not just about the plane, but about the weapons it has. We would be more interested in making weapons here than fighter planes.