Japan plans to deepen cooperation with Britain in the development of a new fighter jet that will replace the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-2 aircraft.

The Defense Ministry intends to have Japanese firms lead the development of the new jet. Research on its engine has already started. Japanese heavy machinery firm IHI Corporation and Britain's Rolls-Royce have been working on it together since January.

The ministry is now planning to expand the countries' cooperation beyond the engine to include the fuselage.

This follows a meeting earlier this month between Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and his British counterpart Boris Johnson.

The leaders confirmed that their countries will reach an agreement by year-end on the outline of how they will work together in the development of the new jet.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which is in charge of overseeing the project as well as developing the fuselage, will discuss cooperation with British defense company BAE Systems.

This is the first time in more than 40 years that Japanese companies have led fighter jet development. Japanese engineers will receive technical support from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

The Defense Ministry hopes to begin the deployment of the new fighter jet by around 2035, when the retirement of the F-2 aircraft fleet will start.