Defense ministers of Japan, Britain and Italy have reaffirmed that their countries will continue their joint development of a next-generation fighter jet with the aim of deploying the aircraft in 2035.

Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru, British Defence Secretary John Healey and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto met in London on Tuesday.

Trilateral talks on the matter were held in December last year. But this is the first time Healey has taken part, as Britain had a change of government this month.

Kihara expressed his hope to make the joint project a success to deepen a strong defense partnership based on shared values such as the rule of law.

The three ministers agreed to continue working to set up an organization coordinating the project named the Global Combat Air Programme by the end of the year.