August 21, 2025

Japan Considers Using Turkish-Made Drones to Expand Defense Capabilities, Strengthening Ties with Turkiye

The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) are considering adopting Turkish-made drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). On August 19th, Defense Secretary Gen Nakatani met with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the defense sector. Procurement from Turkiye, which has gained worldwide recognition for its drone technology, is expected to improve the JSDF’s ability to respond to modern warfare.

Bayraktar TB2: Cost-Effective and Battle-Tested

One leading candidate is the Bayraktar TB2, produced by Turkish defense giant Baykar. The TB2 is an attack drone capable of 27 hours of continuous flight and advanced intelligence gathering. It has become a symbol of Turkish defense technology, already in use by countries such as Azerbaijan and Qatar.

Compared to U.S. military drones, the TB2 is significantly more affordable. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s purchase of the U.S.-made MQ-9B “Sea Guardian,” including related systems, costs around ¥12 billion per aircraft. In contrast, the Bayraktar TB2 is estimated at about $5 million (roughly ¥700 million) per unit.

Anka Drone Also Under Consideration

Another strong candidate is the “Anka,” developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). This reconnaissance and attack drone can operate autonomously without human piloting and has already been adopted by Malaysia and Indonesia. Its versatility and advanced technology strengthen its candidacy.

Budget Timeline and Strategic Implications

The Ministry of Defense plans to include a drone procurement initiative in its fiscal 2026 budget request, to be finalized at the end of August. Candidates include drones from Turkiye, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. While the JSDF has mostly used drones for patrol, reconnaissance, and disaster response, the 2025 budget will mark the first introduction of attack drones—signaling a significant shift in Japan’s defense strategy.