Japan and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, Japan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, in a move that allows for joint research, development and production.
While Tokyo has struck about a dozen similar bilateral deals, including with the US, Britain and Australia, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering a more general relaxation of strict limits on Japanese arms exports.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the United Arab Emirates is the 11th largest arms importer in the world. The deal comes as Japan is working with Britain and Italy on a next-generation fighter jet that is likely to be sold outside the three countries.
