By 2026, Japan plans to significantly strengthen the defense of its remote and strategically important islands through the massive integration of Turkish-made and American-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This became known from reports from Japanese government sources published on August 12, 2025.
As part of the new defense strategy, the Japanese government is preparing to allocate more than 1 trillion yen (about 6.3 billion US dollars) in the next fiscal year for the purchase of drones for the Self-Defense Forces. These funds will be used to equip the Land, Sea and Air Forces with modern drones capable of solving both reconnaissance and strike missions.
The main focus will be on the protection of island territories, especially in the southwestern region of the archipelago, including disputed areas. Drones will provide round-the-clock surveillance, rapid detection of threats and, if necessary, rapid response to violations of air and sea space.
The fleet will include both American UAVs, known for their reliability and integration with NATO systems, as well as Turkish attack drones such as Bayraktar TB2 and newer models that have already proven themselves in various conflicts around the world. This combination gives Japan flexibility and a variety of tactical options.
The integration of foreign drones is part of a broader modernization program aimed at strengthening offensive capabilities, which marks a shift from a traditionally defensive doctrine to a more active defense.
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