It would be the first time that an Israeli weapons system has been officially purchased by Tokyo
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Japan Self-Defense Forces are considering acquiring the Heron-2, an Israeli-made drone developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The potential deal would mark the first time an Israeli weapons system is officially tested on Japanese territory.
The most visible sign of this rapprochement occurred recently, when a Heron-2 was photographed at a Japanese airport with Israeli registration and Kawasaki Heavy Industries logos, a company that signed a cooperation agreement with IAI.
Until now, Tokyo had avoided the direct purchase of Israeli military platforms, although it did occasionally acquire defense components.
Relations between Israel and Japan
This caution was largely due to the Arab boycott, which for decades limited military ties between the two countries. However, in 2020 the defense ministries of Japan and Israel signed agreements to allow Japanese access to classified Israeli systems.
Japan has a solid arms industry, which produces its own version of the American F-16 fighter jet, as well as transport and training aircraft.
Additionally, it collaborates with the United Kingdom in the development of a future stealth fighter jet. Kawasaki, internationally known for its motorcycles, also manufactures transport and maritime patrol aircraft for the Japanese Air Force.
The potential acquisition of the Heron-2 is part of an accelerated military modernization, driven by China's growing influence in the region.
Tokyo has reactivated aircraft carriers for the first time since World War II and seeks to strengthen its capabilities with unmanned aircraft, a need exacerbated by the shortage of military personnel due to aging and population decline—the Japanese population could fall below 100 million in the coming decades.
The Heron-2, known in Israel as Shoval, is a medium-sized drone with long endurance, capable of carrying out reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and precision strike missions.
It has been used by the Israeli Air Force in operations in Iran and exported to countries such as India. The model observed in Japan was configured for electronic warfare.
If the purchase is finalized, Kawasaki could be responsible for local production for the Japanese market. Nevertheless, the Heron-2 competes with the Turkish Bayraktar, which in recent years has become the best-selling drone in its category.
This potential contract symbolizes not only a technological advance for Japan, but also a significant geopolitical shift in its defense policy and foreign relations.
