Military Authority Proposes Almost 8.8 Trillion Yen Financial Plan
Japan's Defense Ministry has announced plans for a significant expansion of its drone capabilities as part of the fiscal 2026 budget. The proposed budget, totalling 8.8 trillion yen, includes an allocation of approximately 200 billion yen for the acquisition of drones.
The drones are intended to bolster Japan's defense capabilities, particularly in coastal and maritime areas. They will be used for attack, reconnaissance, and defense purposes, as the country faces growing security challenges in the region.
The Ministry is considering various models for the acquisition of drones, including foreign ones from the United States, Australia, Turkey, and Israel. Specifically, Japan has been evaluating the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and the Israeli-origin Heron Mk II drones, with tests and evaluations ongoing.
The drones sought include long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), shipborne unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance systems, and UAVs for rapid transport of supplies to dispersed units, remote bases, and naval vessels. The goal is to deploy a large number of these drones by the end of fiscal 2027, aligning with Japan’s strategy to deploy drones for land, sea, and underwater operations.
This drone acquisition is part of a larger five-year ¥43 trillion defense build-up program through 2027, which includes spending about ¥1 trillion on drones for procurement and research and development.
In summary, Japan is moving towards a new defense vision centered on the use of drones in various operations. The Ministry is considering various models for the acquisition of drones, including foreign ones, to enhance attack, reconnaissance, and defense capabilities, and to bolster Japan's defense against possible invasions.
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