Japan's Ministry of Defense has decided to actively incorporate drones into its coastal defense system, intensifying competition among domestic and international defense contractors. The range of drones under consideration includes large unmanned combat aircraft that operate autonomously using artificial intelligence (AI) and smaller drones for attack and interception. The Japanese government plans to establish a new coastal defense network combining these drones by 2027, allocating approximately 100 billion yen in the 2026 budget.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on September 2, U.S. aerospace and defense company Boeing is negotiating with Japan's Ministry of Defense regarding the supply of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an unmanned combat aircraft developed in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force. Steve Parker, Boeing's Defense Sector CEO, revealed this plan in an interview with Nikkei. If negotiations progress, the process is expected to move to formal procurement procedures, such as contracts or competitive bidding.
The MQ-28 is designed to operate in conjunction with manned fighter jets, utilizing AI for autonomous flight and supporting reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and attack missions. It has a range of over 2,000 nautical miles (approximately 3,700 kilometers). Boeing emphasized that the MQ-28, developed with Pacific operations in mind, is well-suited for the Japan Self-Defense Forces, which must conduct extensive maritime operations.
The MQ-28 has undergone several demonstration tests during joint exercises with U.S. and Australian forces. Last December, Boeing signed a contract with the Australian government to supply seven MQ-28s for a total of 754 million Australian dollars (approximately 86 billion yen), with deliveries expected by 2028. Boeing is also pursuing supply contracts with the U.S. military. Parker stated, "If Japan adopts the MQ-28, it will strengthen defense cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and Australia."
Boeing's push for supplying the MQ-28 to Japan aligns with the Ministry of Defense's 'SHIELD' initiative, which aims to deploy various types of drones for coastal defense. The ministry aims to realize this plan by 2027. The procurement strategy involves a 'high-low mix' of high-performance, expensive large drones like the MQ-28 and smaller, relatively inexpensive drones.
Nikkei reported that companies are focusing not only on aircraft performance but also on partnerships with Japanese firms, domestic production, and compatibility with existing equipment as they look ahead to the next defense capability development plan. European aerospace and defense company Airbus is exploring collaboration with Kawasaki Heavy Industries in the large drone sector. Airbus plans to propose a large drone equipped with Kawasaki's anti-submarine operation system to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, integrating it with the P-1 patrol aircraft. If realized, this could reduce personnel for surveillance and monitoring missions while increasing efficiency, according to Airbus. Japan's e-commerce and telecommunications giant Rakuten Group is also working with German defense startup Hensoldt to supply attack drones for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
As the competition to supply the Self-Defense Forces expands from large unmanned aircraft to attack drones, Japanese companies have already begun to establish a track record in the small drone sector. Japanese drone company ACSL is supplying small drones for aerial photography to the Ministry of Defense, while Terra Drone has secured contracts for interception drones from the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and recently signed a mass production contract, with deliveries expected to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as early as this month. Toshiba has started developing domestically produced interception drones in collaboration with ProDrone, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is also developing a prototype for interception drones to review proposals from the Ministry of Defense.
The inclusion of small drones in the Self-Defense Forces' procurement targets reflects changes in the nature of warfare. In Ukraine and the Middle East, inexpensive small drones have been deployed in large numbers for reconnaissance, attack, and interception, beginning to replace some of the roles traditionally held by missiles. Additionally, Japan faces a vast area of maritime and airspace to protect while dealing with a shortage of Self-Defense Forces personnel. The country is increasing its defense budget to expedite the enhancement of island defense, maritime surveillance, and counterattack capabilities, amid active military activities from China, North Korea, and Russia. Nikkei noted that expectations for drones are growing as a means to continuously monitor and defend extensive maritime and aerial areas while compensating for personnel shortages.
However, a key issue is the production capacity to handle such quantities in times of crisis. While there are no companies currently engaged in large drone production, there is potential to utilize facilities that produce parts for manned fighter jets. For small drones, that option does not exist. Nikkei pointed out that Japan lacks the foundation to ensure that it can procure large quantities domestically in times of crisis, which is essential for sustaining combat capabilities.
Overseas companies are looking to fill this gap. Portuguese company TEKEVER plans to establish a defense drone manufacturing base in Japan, while U.S. defense startup Anduril has developed drones made entirely from Japanese components. Polish defense giant WB Group is exploring partnerships with Japanese companies to supply attack and reconnaissance drones to the Self-Defense Forces. Major defense contractors like Boeing and Airbus recognize that adapting their profit structures to the changing battlefield requires securing drone contracts, aiming to seize the newly opening Japanese drone market and gain control over defense equipment procurement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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