TOKYO (Realist English). Japan has announced plans for the emergency deployment of autonomous interceptor drones to protect military facilities, ships and radar stations from mass drone attacks. The decision comes amid the depletion of US missile arsenals following the Iran war, which has threatened Tokyo’s deliveries of Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) of the Japanese Ministry of Defense has published a notice of demonstration tests of interceptors as early as July 2026. Applications from private companies close on June 29. If the tests are successful, contracts for serial production are planned to be signed in August, with first deliveries to begin as early as September.
Ukraine and Iran as catalysts
The experience of the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East have fundamentally changed the approaches of the Japanese military.
“Initially, my perception of the defense industry was very traditional, bureaucratic and slow. But after visiting Ukraine, and also because of the war in the Middle East, everyone understands the value of drones and investment in them,” said Toru Tokushige, CEO of Japanese company Terra Drone.
The Ukrainian experience has shown that interceptor drones are a cost-effective alternative to anti-aircraft missiles. The war in the Middle East has demonstrated the lethality of Shahed‑136 kamikaze drones, which were used en masse, and their range (up to 1,100 miles) means that similar threats launched in Northeast Asia could reach Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
Technical requirements and timelines
According to the official Defense Ministry notice, interceptors must already be in service in other countries and successfully shoot down Shahed‑type drones. Requirements include:
- integration with existing radars and command-and-control systems;
- operation by no more than two personnel;
- minimal and simple maintenance.
Under the project, test drones must fly at an altitude of about 5,500 metres and reach a speed of about 460 km/h. Deployment of the systems is planned by 2027.
Japanese developments and international cooperation
Both startups and major defence contractors have entered the interceptor market. Terra Drone, through investments in Ukrainian startups, has already deployed two interceptor models on the battlefield in Ukraine — the rocket‑powered Terra A1 (jointly with Amazing Drones) and the fixed‑wing Terra 2 (jointly with WinnyLab).
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (a manufacturer of destroyers and missiles) developed a prototype interceptor drone in three months. Company president Eisaku Ito said: “It was developed in three months through cooperation between the research and commercial divisions.”
Earlier in May, Defense Minister Shindziro Koizumi released a photo of a previously unannounced attack drone and a small drone positioned as low‑cost and suitable for mass production.
In addition to drones, the Japanese Defense Ministry has purchased from Italian company Benelli semi‑automatic anti‑drone rifles M4 A.I. Drone Guardian for engaging small UAVs at ranges of 50–100 metres.
The 2026 budget also includes ¥13 billion ($87 million) for the development of high‑power microwave systems to disable drone electronics, and trials of a 100‑kilowatt ship‑based laser are underway.
The shadow factor: US missile arsenals and the Tomahawk threat
The acceleration of the interceptor programme is linked not only to technological challenges but also to geopolitical risks. The 38‑day US campaign against Iran has seriously depleted American missile arsenals. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) warned of an “imminent risk” of ammunition shortages, which has already led to delays in contracts with European allies and created a threat to Tomahawk deliveries for Japan.
Although US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Japanese counterpart Koizumi publicly denied problems with Tomahawk, Koizumi acknowledged that the ministry plans to develop more domestic missile systems. This decision complements the joint US‑Japanese production of SM‑6 and SM‑3 interceptor missiles.
Japan’s “defensive umbrella,” scheduled for completion by 2027, includes long‑range strike capabilities, missile defence networks and unmanned systems — drones, ground vehicles and underwater robots. The budget for unmanned defence capabilities this year has grown to ¥277 billion ($1.72 billion).
