Japan Eyes Turkish Drones in $58 Billion Defense Budget

Japan’s Cabinet on December 25, 2025 approved a record defense budget exceeding ¥9 trillion ($58 billion) for fiscal year 2026, marking a 9.4% year-on-year increase as Tokyo accelerates a five-year military buildup amid heightened regional tensions. 

The package, which takes effect in April 2026, reflects Japan’s effort to rapidly expand capabilities rather than rely solely on long-term domestic development.

Within the total, ¥100 billion ($640 million) has been specifically allocated to coastal defense, a segment that Japanese officials describe as increasingly exposed given advances in missile, naval, and unmanned technologies in the region. 

The allocation signals a prioritization of near-term readiness over gradual force modernization.

SHIELD And Unmanned Coverage

The coastal defense funding is tied to a new integrated concept known as SHIELD, designed to deploy large numbers of unmanned aerial, sea-surface, and underwater vehicles for surveillance and defensive missions. 

According to the plan approved by the Cabinet, SHIELD is intended to reach operational status by March 2028, giving the Defense Ministry roughly 24 months to field a functioning system.

Officials have acknowledged that this timeline creates a capability gap if Japan relies only on domestic industry. 

As a result, the ministry has indicated that the initial phase will depend primarily on imported unmanned systems, with local development expected to follow once baseline coverage is achieved. 

The emphasis is on rapid deployment, networked sensors, and persistent monitoring of Japan’s long coastline.

Import Options: Türkiye And Israel

Defense officials have identified Türkiye and Israel as leading candidates to supply unmanned platforms for the SHIELD rollout. 

Türkiye’s defense industry, particularly companies associated with Bayraktar-class unmanned aerial vehicles, is viewed in Tokyo as offering cost-effective, combat-proven systems that can be delivered quickly. 

Israel remains an alternative supplier, with long-standing experience in unmanned maritime and aerial systems.

The consideration of Türkiye aligns with diplomatic and industrial engagement earlier in the year. 

In August 2025, Japan’s defense minister visited Türkiye to discuss expanding defense-industrial cooperation, including potential drone procurement. 

Officials stress, however, that no contract has been signed and that the current plan involves import purchases, not joint development or co-financing arrangements.