Last year, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy formed a collaboration to develop a new generation of fighter jets. Then, three images showing fighter jets adorned with the Japanese flag were posted on social media, claiming to be Japan’s latest generation fighter jet, which surprised many. These images were widely reshared with such information. However, our verification found that this claim is false.
Social Media Claim
Three images of fighter jets have been widely circulated on social media platforms in recent days, claiming they are Japan’s newly unveiled fighter jets.
The claim garnered significant attention from social media users, with many expressing their admiration for the newly unveiled aviation innovation.
Below is a screenshot of the claim shared on Facebook on February 15, 2025, with the statement: “Japan’s groundbreaking 6th-generation UFO fighter jet stuns the aviation world.”
Below is the screenshot of the same claim shared on Facebook by another social media user on February 24, 2025, which received over 1,000 shares and comments.
Other claims detailed that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufactured the newly unveiled fighter jet F-X.
Below is the screenshot of the claim shared on Facebook saying the fighter jet was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The same claim has been circulated on other social media platforms including the Meta’s newly formed Threads.
Below is the screenshot of the claim shared on Threads over a week ago, stating: “Japan’s new 6th UFO fighter jet shocks the aviation world.”
Fact Crescendo initiated the debunking process by using Google Reverse Image Search and an AI detection tool, alongside a review of reliable news sources. Through these methods, we uncovered the following facts.
Using keyword searches on Google reveals that Japan, the United Kingdom., and Italy have collaborated to develop advanced fighter jets under their joint initiative, the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP).
Their cooperation was broadly reported by reputable media outlets around the globe including Japan Times, France 24, and the American news agency AP.
According to an AP report, the joint program plans to deploy its advanced fighter jet ten years later after its program inception.
According to reports from Japan Times, France 24, and AP, no fighter jet has been unveiled so far. However, various concepts of the fighter jet were showcased in Japan and the United Kingdom last year.
Below is a screenshot of a model of next-generation fighter jets, jointly developed by Japan, the U.K., and Italy. This model was showcased at the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo last October.
