The picture shows a US-made RQ-4 "Global Hawk" reconnaissance UAV equipped by the Japanese military.

By Zi Ge

Japan's Defense Ministry issued the Defense of Japan 2023 on July 28, which restated the importance of force construction of unmanned combat systems, particularly that of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In fact, the country has listed UAVs as one of the seven pillars to improve its defense capabilities in the three security documents, including the National Security Strategy (NSS) released in December 2022. Japan is currently stepping up efforts in UAV force construction from three aspects.

First, to uplift the budgets by large. Japan's new Defense Buildup Program (DBP) shows that the country will invest a budget of 1 trillion yen (about 7 billion US dollars) in the UAV force construction for the five years from 2023, a significant growth from the previous five-year budget of 100 billion yen. According to the 2023 fiscal year budget announced by Japan's Defense Ministry, 182.7 billion yen will be used for unmanned equipment procurement in the year, the majority of which is occupied by UAV fees. It can be seen from this that UAVs have become a priority in Japan's combat capability building.

Second, to optimize personnel assignment. Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) set up an aerial reconnaissance unit that uses UAVs on January 23, 2023, which marks the first dedicated UAV force of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). Furthermore, in the next five years, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will set up a new multi-purpose UAV aviation team, and another new dedicated UAV force will also be integrated into the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Third, to promote equipment construction. Japan has planned to simultaneously develop unmanned combat capabilities in the air, ground and maritime domains, and acquire long-endurance UAV systems and other equipment through external procurement and independent research and development. On the one hand, it will bring in the US-made RQ-4 "Global Hawk" reconnaissance UAVs and MQ-9 "Reaper" attack drones to enable rapid deployment. On the other hand, it will accelerate the development and installation of domestic UAVs to cope with massive deployment in the future.

It is reported that Japan has prepared to build integrated UAV systems with reconnaissance, attack and defense capabilities, which are strengthened in a targeted manner at present.

In terms of reconnaissance capabilities, as some "Global Hawk" reconnaissance UAV models currently equipped by JASDF's unmanned reconnaissance aviation team are about to be decommissioned, Japan is busy procuring newer Block 30I drones. Meanwhile, to promote the adoption of large UAVs in maritime alert and surveillance tasks, the JMSDF is currently conducting maritime reconnaissance performance test on SeaGuardian UAVs, which will be used as the main equipment to achieve unmanned maritime intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance in the future upon the experimental verification.

In terms of attack capabilities, Japan's Defense Ministry plans to deploy hundreds of attack drones around 2025 to launch attacks on enemy ships and troops approaching their islands in emergency and conduct vigilance and surveillance over certain encampments and bases. In tandem with this, it also plans to deploy a drone unit at the Kanoya base of the JMSDF and introduce eight US-made MQ-9 "Reaper" attack drones. It is learned that the relevant forces are studying applying them as an air combat platform of small drones, which can be combined with the latest "Sparrowhawk" drones developed by General Atomics of the US to form drone swarms for triggering suicide attacks when necessary.

In terms of defense capabilities, Japan's Defense Ministry plans to use directed energy weapons to counter UAVs. In February 2023, Kawasaki Heavy Industries delivered a type of anti-drone laser weapon system to the Ministry, which can be mounted on a ground vehicle to track and destroy drones flying at an altitude of 100 meters.

Analysts pointed out that as Japan's UAV force construction has just started, there are still shortcomings in relevant technology and personnel aspects, but the diversified development layout underlines the military ambitions of Japan. These moves and trends deserve attention and vigilance from the wide public.