Turkey is seeking to expand defence-industrial cooperation with Japan through the joint development and production of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Speaking to Nikkei, Fidan said Turkey’s rapidly growing drone industry combined with Japan’s advanced technological expertise creates significant opportunities for collaboration in next-generation autonomous systems. He noted that Turkish-made drones have already proven their effectiveness across multiple operational environments, making them attractive platforms for future cooperative projects.
The proposal comes as Ankara and Tokyo strengthen their broader defence partnership. In May, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries signed an agreement aimed at accelerating cooperation on defence equipment and exploring potential UAS-related initiatives. Japan is continuing to enhance its autonomous and littoral defence capabilities and has reportedly shown interest in Turkish drone technologies. Meanwhile, Turkey has emerged as a major exporter of tactical unmanned systems, with platforms such as the Bayraktar TB2 and Anka gaining international recognition through extensive operational deployment and export success.
