Japan Self-Defense Forces Vigorously Promote Unmanned Equipment

Reference News Network reported on April 16 According to Japan's "Mainichi Shimbun" on April 14, to strengthen the use of drones and other unmanned equipment, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has established the "Unmanned Equipment Defense Capability Promotion Office" and the "Unmanned Equipment Office." The "Unmanned Equipment Defense Capability Promotion Office" is staffed by 7 people and is responsible for the conceptualization and research and development of unmanned equipment. The "Unmanned Equipment Office" is staffed by 6 people and is responsible for equipment procurement, supply, and maintenance. Both offices were officially established on the 8th of this month.

The report states that unmanned equipment defense capability is one of the seven major pillars for strengthening defense power proposed in Japan's three security documents. The Japanese Ministry of Defense is promoting a plan to invest approximately 1 trillion yen (about 62.87 billion USD) over five years until the fiscal year 2027 to procure thousands of sets of unmanned equipment for the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces, including drones (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).

On the 13th, the Ministry of Defense held a ceremony for the establishment of the new agency. Japan's Minister of Defense, Nobuo Kishi, emphasized in his address: "Your mission is to fully utilize the effectiveness of unmanned equipment, fulfill our defense responsibilities, and conceptualize and realize future combat methods."

Drones and other unmanned equipment have the characteristics of being relatively low-cost and capable of large-scale deployment in a short period, giving them a clear advantage in "asymmetric warfare" against high-cost equipment. In addition, with remote control and autonomous control technologies, they can perform tasks in dangerous environments and operate continuously for long periods, helping to reduce manpower consumption and lower the risk of personnel casualties.

The "National Defense Strategy" approved by the Japanese Cabinet in December 2022 clearly states that the combination of drones with artificial intelligence and manned equipment "could become a disruptive force that fundamentally changes troop structure and combat methods." To address "new types of combat styles," the Ministry of Defense is promoting the deployment of a system called "Synchronized, Hybrid, Integrated, and Enhanced Coastal Defense" (SHIELD), aimed at strengthening coastal defense capabilities through the extensive use of drones. (Translation/ Shen Honghui)