Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has welcomed the collaboration between the UK, Italy and Japan to develop a new fighter jet – and said it will mean more jobs in the region.

The deal will produce a next-generation jet to replace the Typhoon and it will enter service in the 2030s.

The 'Tempest' will carry the latest weapons and is so advanced it will utilise Artificial Intelligence and might even be flown remotely, without a pilot.

It will benefit from stealth technology and will be designed to stay ahead of threats as they develop over the coming decades.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We're one of the few countries in the world that has the capability to build technologically advanced fighter aircraft."

Labour has given support for the project and it is thought that other countries might yet join.

Alan Fisher, chief executive officer of FAC, said: “Collaboration has been a buzz word in aerospace, aviation and defence for many years.

“Bringing businesses and countries together to utilise their expertise is something we have been calling for, and something we have been doing.

“The collaboration between the UK and France gave us Concorde, and this new jet is likely to be as ground-breaking.

“Furthermore, at Farnborough we are at the centre of the UK's aerospace industry and we'll be working hard to ensure the region benefits from the collaboration.

“We have the expertise, technology and experience – especially among SMEs – to make a telling contribution to this new jet.

“Within the supply chains there will be huge opportunities for UK businesses to take advantage of this project.

“Those behind the collaboration need congratulating, and to bring Labour's defence Minister on board shows there is real determination to make it happen.”