BAE offers Eurofighter Typhoon to Japan

TOKYO, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Eurofighter partner companies and nations, together with the Sumitomo Corp., have joined the race to produce Japan's new fighter aircraft.

BAE Systems-UK said this week it and its partners submitted a proposal for the Eurofighter to the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

"This cost-effective proposal offers Eurofighter Typhoon, the world's most advanced multi-role combat aircraft, as Japan's best option to meet the requirement for its F-X program and the most capable deterrent to regional threats," said Nigel Whitehead, BAE Systems Group managing director-Programs and Support.

"The aircraft already has operationally proven multi-role capabilities and through our ability to offer licensed production, maintenance and technology transfer, Japan can have sovereign control of manufacture, support and upgrade of Typhoon aircraft in Japan by Japanese industry.

"We are also able to offer software source codes and other data, giving Japan the ability to develop the aircraft itself to meet its own unique needs, now and in the future."

British Ambassador to Japan David Warren said: "I am delighted that BAE Systems has been able to submit such a compelling solution to Japan's F-X requirement.

"Typhoon will deliver world-class capability for many years to come. It also offers our two nations an opportunity to significantly strengthen our defense and security relationship and an opportunity for ground breaking industrial cooperation which will contribute substantially to Japan's defense and aerospace industries future."

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH of Germany manages the Typhoon program on behalf of the Eurofighter partner companies: Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems and Cassidian in Spain and Germany.

More than 290 aircraft have been delivered to the air forces of the four partner nations and to customers, with 115,000 flying hours achieved between them.

Boeing and the U.S. Navy have submitted their contract proposal, offering the F/A-18E Super Hornet.

Japan had issued a Request for Proposal for its F-X fighter competition in April.