Ankara has expressed its intention to deepen defence cooperation with Japan by pursuing joint development and manufacturing programmes for unmanned aerial systems, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed in a recent interview. Fidan emphasized that the combination of Turkey’s combat-proven drone expertise and Japan’s strong technological and industrial capabilities provides a solid foundation for collaboration in the rapidly evolving UAS sector. He added that Turkish drone platforms have demonstrated strong performance in diverse operational scenarios, creating new opportunities for international partnerships.
The initiative aligns with growing defence ties between the two countries. Earlier this year, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries formalized an agreement to expand cooperation on defence technologies, including discussions surrounding unmanned systems. As Japan seeks to strengthen its autonomous defence capabilities, particularly for maritime and coastal security missions, Turkish-made drones are reportedly being considered as a potential option. At the same time, Turkey continues to build its reputation as a leading supplier of tactical UAVs, with systems like the Bayraktar TB2 and Anka securing export orders and operational experience across multiple regions.
