Italy and Japan have strengthened their defence sector collaboration by signing a bilateral deal in Rome, the Italian government announced on Monday. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya formalised the agreement, named the Acquisition and Cross-Service Agreement (ACSA).
The agreement streamlines acquisitions, supplies, and exchanges in military operations and ensures rapid mobilization of aid during emergencies and natural disasters. Both nations also collaborate with Britain on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a project to develop an advanced front-line fighter jet set to enter service by the mid-2030s.
Italy emphasized that the GCAP program demonstrates how nations with shared values can unite to address contemporary global challenges. Later on Monday, Foreign Minister Iwaya will join a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Italy.
