According to a report from FlightGlobal, on December 22, local time, the United Kingdom and Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation to jointly develop an engine verification aircraft suitable for future fighter jets. The cooperation involves four companies, among which the engine system is developed by Japan's IHI and the British Rolls-Royce, and the airframe manufacturing is undertaken by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and BAE Systems.

The British Ministry of Defence stated that the development of the Joint Engine Demonstrator will start in early 2022, and the UK will invest 30 million pounds in planning, digital design and innovative manufacturing development. In addition, 200 million pounds of funds will be used to develop a complete demonstration power system, while also providing hundreds of factories with high-skilled jobs.