Japan's Defense Ministry has decided to introduce the SeaGuardian surveillance drone to replace manned patrol aircraft.
The ministry on Friday decided to buy the drone after the Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted test flights from Hachinohe Air Base in the northern prefecture of Aomori.
Manufactured by a United States defense company, the 11-meter aircraft is remotely operated from the ground and is capable of flying up to 24 hours nonstop.
A SeaGuardian costs around 12 billion yen, or 77 million dollars. The first one is to be delivered in fiscal 2028. The ministry plans to procure 23 drones by fiscal 2032.
The ministry had asked relevant companies to submit proposals on which unmanned aerial vehicles should be introduced. The SeaGuardian was the only model put forward.
The decision to introduce the surveillance drone is expected to help address the SDF's staff shortage.
The number of personnel the SDF recruited in the last fiscal year was just over 50 percent of the plan.
The ministry on Friday decided to buy the drone after the Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted test flights from Hachinohe Air Base in the northern prefecture of Aomori.
Manufactured by a United States defense company, the 11-meter aircraft is remotely operated from the ground and is capable of flying up to 24 hours nonstop.
A SeaGuardian costs around 12 billion yen, or 77 million dollars. The first one is to be delivered in fiscal 2028. The ministry plans to procure 23 drones by fiscal 2032.
The ministry had asked relevant companies to submit proposals on which unmanned aerial vehicles should be introduced. The SeaGuardian was the only model put forward.
The decision to introduce the surveillance drone is expected to help address the SDF's staff shortage.
The number of personnel the SDF recruited in the last fiscal year was just over 50 percent of the plan.
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Summary
Japan's Defense Ministry has chosen to acquire the SeaGuardian surveillance drone, replacing manned patrol aircraft. The decision follows successful test flights at Hachinohe Air Base in Aomori prefecture. Manufactured by a US defense company, the 11-meter SeaGuardian is remotely operated and can
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ID: 04e42c98-5c21-4bc7-8495-49b5f3acaac8
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20241115_24/
Date: Nov. 15, 2024
Created: 2024/11/16 07:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 08:49
Last Read: 2024/11/16 07:31