Main image: File photo taken in Kyiv in June 2024 shows a Ukraine-made drone equipped with a high-performance camera. (Kyodo)
Japan is considering the purchase of Ukrainian-made attack drones for its Self-Defense Forces, primarily due to their successful use in real combat conditions against Russian aggression.
This was reported by Kyodo News.
“The Japanese government is considering introducing Ukraine-made attack drones to bolster its defense capabilities, banking on the Eastern European country's combat experience against Russian military aggression,” sources familiar with the matter said.
Signing a bilateral agreement on the transfer of defense equipment is one possible way to facilitate the move, the sources said, as Ukraine is seeking to exchange its defense technologies for weapons provided by Japan.
The idea emerged after Ukraine approached Japan with the proposal, according to a diplomatic source.
Tokyo will make a final decision after comparing the performance of Ukrainian drones with similar systems from other countries. Options from Israel are also being considered, but due to the political situation surrounding the Gaza Strip, Japanese authorities are leaning toward supporting Ukrainian developments.
“The Japanese government is on course to ease its defense equipment transfer rules, possibly in April, to allow, in principle, exports of lethal weapons,” a source at the Ministry of Defense of Japan said.
The Japanese government also plans to ease rules governing the transfer of defense equipment, possibly in April, to allow the export of lethal weapons.
A proposal by the ruling parties, submitted earlier this month to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, could enable Ukraine to receive weapons from Japan provided that Kyiv signs a defense equipment transfer agreement and is recognized as a country eligible for special exemptions in view of Japan’s national security needs.
