It has emerged that the Ministry of Defense signed an acquisition agreement for interceptor drones with Ukraine's military company SkyFall, while major domestic company Terra Drone completed the manufacture and inspection of 300 modular unmanned aircraft ordered by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency. Against the backdrop of Japan's security environment, the introduction of overseas technology and the strengthening of the domestic production base are progressing in parallel.
The Ministry of Defense announced that it had signed an acquisition agreement for interceptor drones with the Ukrainian defense startup SkyFall. At the same time, Terra Drone announced that it had completed manufacturing and Self-Defense Forces inspections of 300 modular unmanned aircraft ordered by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency through competitive bidding, and that the units were ready for shipment. This demonstrates an approach that advances the adoption of overseas technology alongside domestic production. Further reports are expected to focus on the specific delivery schedule and details of the inspection items.
Defense Minister Koizumi said at a press conference that the procurement contract signed with SkyFall was being coordinated for early delivery. SkyFall's aircraft have high-speed interception capabilities designed to shoot down jet-propelled one-way attack drones, and aircraft such as Jet Killer have already been deployed operationally. The Ministry of Defense has indicated a policy of strengthening air defense capabilities using unmanned aircraft through a combination of overseas technology and domestic development.
On 5 October 2026, Terra Drone announced that it had completed all manufacturing and Self-Defense Forces inspections of the 300 modular unmanned aircraft ordered by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, and that the units were ready for shipment. It had initially signed a manufacturing contract worth approximately ¥115 million in May 2026. The company said it had established a mass-production system for unmanned aircraft within a short period after making a full-scale entry into the defense market.
Alongside procuring advanced aircraft from overseas, the Ministry of Defense is promoting the development of a system capable of fully managing and manufacturing key components domestically, including airframes and flight controllers. While it is moving to build an air defense network using low-cost unmanned aircraft that can be operated in large numbers, the ministry has also emphasized its commitment to preparing for the risks of cyberattacks and supply-chain disruptions.