Flight tests were conducted just days before the DSEI Japan exhibition in Chiba (15-17th March), perfectly setting the tone for the second iteration of DSEI Japan which brought together government, industry and academic representatives from around the World. Held for the first time since 2019, DSEI Japan neatly came on the back of a significant shift in defence policy ratified by the Japanese government in December last year. Citing China's stance on Taiwan, ongoing North Korean missile tests, and Russia's latest invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described Japan's latest National Security Strategy which called for an extensive overhaul of capabilities of the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) over a ten-year period. Notably, the strategy announced the reconsideration of restrictions concerning the export of defence equipment - of particular interest to original equipment manufacturers Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). Arguably the biggest news of DSEI Japan was the first tri-lateral discussions regarding the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) since Japan officially joined the effort in December. Defence ministers from Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom sat down together in Japan during the event to discuss the direction of the GCAP which aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter by 2035. As the UK's defence secretary Ben Wallace explained on day one of the event: "The GCAP is an enduring, strategic partnership that will see the creation of a sixth-generation fighter to protect our skies for decades to come and bring together an alliance of nations, bridging Europe and the Pacific." Addressing the media, Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) Director, Development Division, GCAP, MG Masaki Oyama described the programme as "symbolic of a system of systems approach to a sixth-generation aircraft" and illustrated freedoms of action and modification the effort would provide member nations. "GCAP will play a key role in gaining air superiority", he acknowledged. On the first day of DSEI Japan, GCAP's international industrial base also signed a collaborative agreement to progress with the design and development of Integrated Sensing and Non Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications Systems. Representatives from Mitsubishi Electric, Leonardo UK, Leonardo and ELT were present at the exhibition to sign the agreement.
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