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Japan Eyes Turkey’s Battle-Tested Bayraktar Drones Used by Ukraine Against Russia
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani met with his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler in Ankara on August 19 to discuss potential expansion of defense cooperation, including the possible procurement of Turkish-made drones for the Self-Defense Forces.
According to Defense Blog citing the Japanese Ministry of Defense on August 19, the talks focused on Turkey’s established expertise in unmanned aerial systems and Japan’s interest in integrating such capabilities to strengthen its defense posture.
Nakatani is scheduled to visit a Turkish naval shipyard on August 20 to review industrial facilities and observe production capabilities.
The ministry noted that the visit will allow Japanese officials to evaluate Turkey’s capacity to design and manufacture advanced platforms, including drones that have gained recognition internationally.
Turkey’s defense industry has expanded significantly in recent years, developing indigenous systems such as the Bayraktar TB2, which has been exported and deployed in multiple war zones. These systems, used by Ukraine against Russian forces, have drawn attention from NATO members and other states seeking proven solutions for modern warfare.
The talks underline a shared interest in closer bilateral security ties. Both governments will continue discussions in the coming days to identify specific areas for cooperation in defense technology.
Japan’s focus on drones also extends to domestic testing. An Israeli-made Heron Mk II UAV was recently observed at Shirahama Airport during a test flight conducted by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Tokyo views unmanned systems as an essential component for addressing regional security challenges, including China’s activities in the East China Sea and North Korea’s ongoing missile development.
Earlier, Japan lodged a formal protest after Russia announced live-fire drills near the disputed Northern Territories, summoning Russian diplomats in Tokyo and declaring the exercises unacceptable, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 18.
