Recommendation 3

The Government must continue its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme as a conduit to build further on good relations with Japan, a key partner in the region. By recognising the power of such partnerships, and exploring where these can be grown, the UK is building a bedrock upon which greater trading ties can be created in the defence and other sectors. To sustain industry confidence, the Government must also provide longer-term funding commitments, moving beyond the current 12-month cycle, to give companies the certainty needed to scale their involvement. (Recommendation, Paragraph 34)