In this fortnightly online column, ADM journalist Corey Lee Bell covers defence news across Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Japan has chosen four aerial interceptor drones to undergo demonstration trials as part of a pilot program to accelerate the induction of new technologies, the nation’s Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced in mid-July.
The procurement aims to produce an economically viable alternative to the use of conventional interceptor missiles to defend against attacks from low-cost, long-range drones, according to the Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) official tender announcement.
Three of the four companies selected have recently deployed or manufactured drones in Ukraine. This aligns with the procurements’ strategic rationale, which lies in lessons Japanese planners have drawn from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
It also facilitates the rapid procurement program’s tenet of accelerating testing and development through leveraging existing operational experience.
One of the chosen drones was Terra B1, a new platform from rising Japanese drone producer Terra Drone.
Terra Drone’s win came on the back of the successful initial deployment of the Terra A1 interceptor in Ukraine in mid-April.
Additional winners from companies with Ukraine experience were the BVQ404 from Beyond Vision Portugal, partnered with Japanese representative Airmobility, and QS Interceptor from German firm Quantum Systems, represented by All Nippon Airways.
Multiple European sources have reported that Beyond Vision has supplied two batches of drones to Ukraine, while Quantum Systems released a press statement in March stating that it had won a contract to provide Ukraine’s National Guard with 15,000 Strila rocket-type air defence interceptors.
The fourth platform selected was the IonStrike from US defence firm Dzyne Technologies, whose local partner is Nippon Kaiyo.
IonStrike, the company claims, is a low-cost interceptor capable of after-launch mission reassignment, is currently undergoing testing for deployment as part of NATO’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, a Europe-based multilayered drone defence system whose operational concepts share similarities with Japan’s recently developed SHIELD (Synchronised, Hybrid, Integrated and Enhanced Littoral Defense) initiative.
The selection of Japan’s Terra Drone’s Terra B1 represents an important win for Japan’s burgeoning domestic defence drone industry, whose development has been set as a priority by Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
In May, Koizumi announced that the Japan Growth Strategy Council’s Defense Industry Working Group had prepared a draft public-private investment roadmap for small drones produced by start-ups and new entrants into the defence sector, as well as plans for reducing red tape, introducing R&D subsidies, ensuring stable procurement volumes, and supporting exporters.
Founded in 2016 as a spin-off from Terra Motors, Terra Drone is a part of the new generation of Japanese military drone providers. Its recent successes include securing a ¥114 million (approx. A $1 million) ATLA contract to produce 300 units of a modular UAV training model.
It is also the first to have made a significant international expansion, including a growing presence in Ukraine, the company claims.
In March, Terra Drone announced that it had entered into a partnership with Ukrainian FPV drone provider, Amazing Drones.
This was followed by a 15 June company announcement that it would acquire 50 per cent of Amazing Drones’ shares through Terra Defense Europe, Terra Drone Group’s European base, and would consolidate Ukrainian interceptor drone company WinnyLab LLC.
In a series of press releases, Terra Drone has stated its Ukrainian experiences have enhanced its capacity for large scale, rapid and low-cost production, as well as the execution of prompt and regular capability upgrades through direct feedback with operators – both of which are core tenets of Japan’s rapid acquisition initiative.
In early July, Toru Tokushige, head of Terra Drone, announced plans to domestically produce up to tens of thousands of interceptor drones annually.
Japan first announced its Rapid Acquisition Program in 2023 in response to recommendations from the 2022 Defense Buildup Program. The program initially emphasised the need to revise testing and development procedures for new technologies developed by start-ups, including removing red tape and focusing on direct dialogue with civilian technology providers.
On 27 February, Koizumi announced the inauguration of the Fast-track Procurement model, which was in-part inspired by defence industry developments in Ukraine.
Its key tenets include a three-month schedule from the awarding of an initial contract to the completion of development and testing, as well as flexible contracts and measures to reduce suppliers’ R&D investment risks.