Japanese Media: Japan Considering Deployment of Drones Equipped with Early-Warning Radars
According to sources cited by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, the Japanese government is considering the possibility of deploying drones equipped with early-warning radars.
The move aims to strengthen surveillance systems in the Pacific region, which is regarded as one of the "blind spots" in Japan's early-warning network.
These drones are fitted with radars typically used on airborne early-warning aircraft. Such systems can detect low-flying aircraft, ships, and other targets earlier, making them harder to spot from the ground or from ships due to the curvature of the Earth. One of the options currently under consideration is the American MQ-9B "Sea Guardian" maritime surveillance drone, which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to begin using in fiscal year 2027 (April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2028). It features long flight duration and a range of approximately 4,900 kilometers.
Additionally, the Japanese government also plans to deploy mobile surveillance radars on Iwo Island and Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands.
The report notes that the plan to enhance Pacific surveillance systems is included in three key security documents that the government intends to review before the end of the year.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865511518871561/
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