Terra Drone has received an order for interceptor drones from the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and signed a mass-production contract, with delivery to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force scheduled as early as September. The Ministry of Defense has indicated that it plans to move ahead with deployment approximately 3 months after opening the call for proposals.
Major drone developer Terra Drone announced that it had received an order for unmanned interceptor aircraft from the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency. The company is to sign a mass-production contract and is preparing for future deliveries under conditions premised on establishing a domestic production system. The article notes that the order was secured by leveraging expertise from Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense has set out measures to strengthen air defense capabilities and indicated that it plans to accelerate the deployment of interceptor drones. The open-call selection process was completed in a short period of approximately 3 months. Reports say that Terra Drone was selected from among multiple companies that had been conducting field tests since July.
The selection is said to reflect an aim to apply practical knowledge gained from Ukraine's drone operations to Japan's defense equipment. Terra Drone has ties to Ukrainian drone companies, and the order could lead to mass production of interceptor drones for Japan.
The delivery schedule calls for delivery to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as early as September, with the contract expected to proceed on the condition that production takes place domestically. The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency has indicated that it will continue to advance deployment with a view to operational use within a short period, while drawing on the production capabilities of domestic companies.