JAPAN SHOWS INTEREST IN TURKISH UAVS AND HÜRJET TRAINER JET
Japanese Defense Minister Gen. Nakatani toured the facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Baykar to examine Turkish-made aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. His visit followed a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces currently operate U.S.-made RQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs, while the Defense Ministry has long considered expanding its fleet. Earlier this year, Japanese media reported that Tokyo planned to sign a deal with the U.S. to procure 23 MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAVs. Nakatani’s stop in Ankara ahead of that signing drew attention to Turkey’s growing defense industry.
TAI and Baykar produce tactical and strategic-class UAVs and UCAVs. According to SavunmaSanayiST.com, Japan may also be eyeing TAI’s Hürjet trainer aircraft. Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force operates nearly 200 Kawasaki T-4 jets, which entered service in 1988 and are nearing the end of their operational lifespan.
The Hürjet is a single-engine, tandem-seat, supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft. The first prototype flew in 2023, followed by a second in 2024. In May 2025, TAI signed a contract with Spain to export 24 Hürjets, with mass production already underway. The first deliveries to the Turkish Air Force are scheduled for early 2027.
THREE TOPICS STAND OUT
Nakatani, also visited the Istanbul Shipyard Command, and said that they had decided to start talks at the working group level to advance cooperation with Turkey in the defense industry.
He said that three topics stood out during his meeting with Güler: “The first was Turkey's interest in Japan’s naval minesweeping capabilities. The second was Japan's interest in Turkey’s drone industry. Lastly, both sides agreed to explore potential cooperation in these fields and to establish consultations between Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) and Turkey’s Defense Industries Presidency, as well as between their defense industries.”
The start of consultations does not mean that defense equipment will be purchased from Turkey, but that they will examine opportunities for cooperation, Nakatani added.
