Japan Turns to Turkish Drones Against China: $670 Million Budget

According to EurAsia Times, Japan plans to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Türkiye to counter China's increasing military activity in the region. The Ministry of Defense has allocated approximately $670 million in its fiscal year 2026 budget to support the deployment of military UAVs.

It was reported that Turkish-made UAVs may be procured in the initial phase, with plans for domestic production to follow. While the specific model to be purchased has not been announced, the Bayraktar TB2 and STM-made KARGU kamikaze drones are the most prominent.

Japan's move is said to stem from growing security concerns due to China's military activity in the East China Sea, North Korea's missile tests and Russia's flights in the region.

Bayraktar TB2 stands out with its features such as 27 hours of endurance, 25,000 feet maximum altitude and GPS-independent flight capability.