Italy will join the British-led Team Tempest programme building an advanced fighter jet, boosting the project's chances of getting the aircraft off the ground.

Confirmation of the latest member of the project is expected to come at the giant DSEI military exhibition in London’s Docklands this week.

Tempest is a collaboration between the British Government and industrial partners BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, MBDA and Leonardo.

It aims to build a “sixth generation” fighter featuring stealth technology, laser weapons and a swarm of drone wingmen which will be in service in 2035.

It will guarantee work for Britain’s £6bn-a-year combat aircraft industry that employs 18,000 people and is a major source of defence exports.