Saudi Arabia likely to join GCAP jet fighter project with Japan and UK, Italy says

They have no technical skills that can be useful to this project unless the Saudis will be manufacturing the bone cutters to dismember journalists? Or are they there to supply some cash?

@Mr Kipling

They have no technical skills that can be useful to this project

Saudi share of design and production work will be handled by Saudi subsidiaries of BAE, Rolls-Royce, and Leonardo.

Saudi Arabia wants things happening on its soil to jump start an industry and train young engineers mentored by seasoned British and Italian engineers.

No. No Democratic country should be allowed.

Saudi's bring two things only-

it would bring money and a lucrative market

Provide funds for development and will be a future operator/customer.

But having Saudi's on board will taint the project. They are not really respected as a nation. A monarchy that still does not treat women as equal. And in many ways treats women as second class or outright slaves.

But the cash will come in handy so we can pretend the Saudis are "stand up" guys.

The Saudis are vile beyond description. Japan has in the past opposed Saudi involvement and I hope they prevent this from happening.

To be honest, human rights issues in Saudi Arabia are irrelevant at this point. However, the fact that Saudi Arabia is currently fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Iran is not good news for strengthening relations, especially considering the large number of civilian casualties that have occurred.

samit....

Saudi share of design and production work will be handled by Saudi subsidiaries of BAE, Rolls-Royce, and Leonardo.

So as I said, they have nothing to add. Having a few trainees in UK and Italian companies counts for nothing.

The other partners need Saudi money. The UK is particularly skint. There are no ethics in the arms trade, so that issue is not relevant.

@Desert Tortoise

The Saudis are vile beyond description. Japan has in the past opposed Saudi involvement and I hope they prevent this from happening.

UK is broke, Italy is broke, Japan is broke, Saudi sits on mountain of dollar bills to spend, so they offer $1 billion to some soccer player(Mbappe) to play in their league for one year....

@Mr Kipling

So as I said, they have nothing to add.

Saudis have what UK, Italy, and Japan don't have, money.

 However, the fact that Saudi Arabia is currently fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip 

Since when?

Better make it unmanned, as Elon Musk knows WELL the F-35 is a total failure from a cost performance standpoint and just how limited humans are vs. AI.

The Saudis! No way Pedro! The rulers there are sadistic monsters that control the people with an iron fist and treat women horrid.

Reality is including Saudi is this project is just another tool to keep them away from their China/BRICS option.

Saudi is ultimate play both sides multi-polar world along with India. They're no fan of the US$ either, their Treasury holdings are rapidly on the way to ZERO!!!

If Eron Musk is right, who says in another article that a future war will be fought with drones and unmanned aircraft, this joint project to build next generation fighter jets is a nonstarter after all.

Likewise, the construction, now underway, of the Henoko new base in Okinawa for Ospreys will be the waste of tax money and destruction of precious mother nature.