Vice Minister Ino Discusses UK-France Defense and Nuclear Cooperation

METI Vice Minister Ino visited the United Kingdom and the French Republic from July 20 to 24, 2026, holding discussions on defense industry cooperation in the UK and the nuclear fuel cycle with Orano in France. During the visit, he participated in the Japan-UK Defense Industry Dialogue, met with UK stakeholders, and visited BAE Systems in the UK and Orano’s Melox plant in France.

The visit included exchanges of views on manufacturing capabilities in the aviation and defense industries, defense and dual-use supply chains including GCAP, and advancing the nuclear fuel cycle. He also visited the Melox plant, which manufactures MOX fuel for use in pluthermal power generation.

The 12th Japan-UK Defense Industry Dialogue was held at the Farnborough Airshow venue, co-hosted by SJAC and ADS.

On July 21, he delivered a speech at the Japan-UK Defense Industry Dialogue held at the Farnborough Airshow venue, emphasizing the importance of building resilient, reliable supply chains for GCAP and linking defense and dual-use supply chains with allies and like-minded countries, including the UK.

On the same day, he met with UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Corker. They shared the importance of strengthening the defense industrial base under the Frontier Tech Partnership agreed during Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to the UK in June, and welcomed the Japan-UK Defense Industry Dialogue, in which Japan’s dual-use mission also participated. They also welcomed progress in cooperation through initiatives such as the inaugural Japan-UK Defense Capability and Industry Enhancement Council held on July 16, and agreed to further advance cooperation.

He exchanged views with Trade Envoy David Taylor on accelerating bilateral cooperation, including in the defense industry, under the new Burnham government, and shared the importance of promoting cooperation, including cooperation between industries.

At the Farnborough Airshow, he visited chalets and booths of private-sector businesses involved in civil aircraft and defense industries, including startups, and exchanged views extensively with stakeholders.

The GCAP networking reception, associated with the joint development being advanced by Japan, the UK, and Italy, was co-hosted by GIGO, an intergovernmental international organization, and Edgewing, a joint venture formed by private companies. Vice Minister Ino participated and exchanged views with stakeholders on the potential contributions of Japan’s supply chains.

On July 22, he visited a BAE Systems plant in the UK and exchanged views on strengthening manufacturing capabilities in the aviation and defense industries. On July 23, he visited Orano’s Melox plant in France, toured the manufacturing site for MOX fuel used in pluthermal power generation, and exchanged views on advancing the nuclear fuel cycle.