Howa Machinery, a rifle manufacturer, has invested in domestic drone developer PRODRONE. The companies will jointly develop interceptor drones and build a mass-production plant on Howa Machinery's premises, with plans to begin prototyping drones for civilian applications this year.
Howa Machinery announced on the 7th that it had invested in PRODRONE, a startup developing domestically produced drones. It subscribed to a capital increase through a third-party allotment and will jointly develop interceptor drones.
The investment amount is undisclosed, but the value of the shares is said to be less than 10% of consolidated net assets. The two companies aim to commercialize interceptor drones, with the investment intended to strengthen the civilian applications of defense-related technologies.
A PRODRONE mass-production plant is planned for construction on Howa Machinery's premises. The companies are expected to begin prototyping drones for civilian applications, including logistics and surveying, this year.
Howa Machinery manufactures the Type 20 rifle for the Self-Defense Forces, while its firearms business, which also includes the manufacture and sale of rifles for civilian use, accounts for 40% of revenue. Against the backdrop of the government's promotion of dual-use technologies, the company plans to expand its business scope through collaboration with PRODRONE.