Japan is considering adopting Ukrainian attack drones
Japan may enlist Ukrainian strike drones to bolster its defenses, an option being explored in Tokyo amid the need to quickly build up capabilities in the field of unmanned systems.
Japan may enlist Ukrainian strike drones to bolster its defenses, an option being explored in Tokyo amid the need to quickly build up capabilities in the field of unmanned systems.
This is reported by Babel with reference to Kyodo News, the Japanese government is considering the possibility of adopting Ukrainian-made attack drones. One of the options for implementing this idea is a bilateral arms transfer agreement with provisions on the protection of classified information, in particular production technologies. According to sources, this idea appeared after Ukraine itself approached the Japanese side with a corresponding proposal.
Japan’s interest in Ukrainian drones is explained not only by politics, but also by the practice of war. Ukrainian drones already have a reputation for solutions that have quickly evolved in real combat conditions, have received protection from electronic warfare, and have proven effective in long-range strikes. This is especially important for Japan, as the country is simultaneously looking for ways to strengthen the defense of remote islands and increase its fleet of strike and reconnaissance drones. This is precisely what the draft budget for 2026 has allocated 277.3 billion yen, or approximately $1.7 billion, for, in particular, the development of the SHIELD system to repel attacks on remote territories.
The key context in this story is the change in Japanese arms export and import rules. According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government may soften its approach to the transfer of defense equipment as early as April, which would theoretically pave the way for agreements with Ukraine. The article also notes that an alternative for Tokyo could be Israeli drones, but the Ukrainian option is considered less politically sensitive in Japan. If the decision moves beyond previous consultations, it will not just be a new contract for the Ukrainian defense industry, but a signal that combat technologies from Ukraine are beginning to be considered as a practical element of defense planning in one of Asia’s largest economies.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how the Ukrainian miltech company Wild Hornets, which produces STING interceptor drones, denied information from The Wall Street Journal about exporting its drones to the Persian Gulf countries. Wild Hornets assured that they are focused on supplying drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukraine offered its interceptor drones to the US seven months ago, but the Trump administration refused
Ukraine offered its interceptor drones to the US seven months ago, but the Trump administration refused
Donald Trump’s sons invested in startup Powerus, which wants to acquire Ukrainian drone technology
Donald Trump’s sons invested in startup Powerus, which wants to acquire Ukrainian drone technology
«The market is saturated, we are at the peak.» The head of the electronic warfare department of the Land Forces announced the exhaustion of basic solutions for countering drones
«The market is saturated, we are at the peak.» The head of the electronic warfare department of the Land Forces announced the exhaustion of basic solutions for countering drones
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