The UK has been chosen as the headquarters for a project with Italy and Japan to build a new fighter jet, as the three nations push forward ambitious plans to have the aircraft flying by 2035.

Under the plans, confirmed in a trilateral treaty signed in Tokyo on Thursday, the UK will host the government headquarters of the Global Combat Air Programme, supporting hundreds of jobs in the country. While based in the UK, the joint project office will initially be led by Japan.

Decisions on the project’s location and leadership had been keenly awaited due to their political sensitivity and also as the first indication of how the three countries would divide up their responsibilities. The nations have been careful to ensure each feels it has equal participation.