Japan Doubles UAV Budget to 250 Billion Yen as MHI Warns Auto Plants Would Waste Funds
Updated
Updated · logos-pres.md · Jul 6
Japan Doubles UAV Budget to 250 Billion Yen as MHI Warns Auto Plants Would Waste Funds
3 articles · Updated · logos-pres.md · Jul 6
Summary
250 billion yen ($1.7 billion) has been earmarked for UAV procurement this fiscal year, nearly double the prior level, sharpening debate over how Japan should build combat drones.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries CEO Eisaku Ito told the Financial Times that auto plants are built for huge runs of identical products, while military drones need small-batch production and constant redesigns.
Ito said shifting UAV work to car factories could leave Japan producing systems that become obsolete quickly as battlefield requirements and technology change, turning taxpayer spending into waste.
The spending surge has drawn interest from foreign drone makers and Japanese startups, while European carmakers including Renault, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are also exploring defense-drone partnerships.