Rakuten Group has announced a partnership with Germany's Helsing on interceptor drones. The companies aim to supply the Ministry of Defense, with demonstration tests scheduled to run through the end of September. Domestic production may also be considered in the future.
Rakuten Group has partnered with German defense technology company Helsing to develop and supply AI-powered interceptor drones and related systems. Rakuten is expected to serve as the point of contact in the Japanese market and support deployment for the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Defense plans to conduct demonstration tests through the end of September to determine whether to deploy the systems. The timing of commercialization and domestic production under the partnership has not been determined.
There is information that domestic production of the drones is also being considered in the future, and Rakuten is reportedly strengthening its efforts in the defense sector.
The move has been reported as part of the company's broader expansion in the defense sector, including cooperation with government agencies supporting the development of defense technology in Ukraine.