Tempest fighter jet heralds a new dawn for the British defence industry

That split leaves something of a gap for orders, says Justin Bronk at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). He estimates a new jet fighter programme in Britain will need 500-600 orders to be cost effective. For comparison, more than 600 Typhoon jets were made with 181 sold to Germany – which is not involved in this programme. “They need another large economic partner,” Bronk says, adding: “The biggest thing that Japan brings to the table alongside a hefty budget and a very advanced electronics industry is access to an altitude test facility.”