 "Japan eyes ‘counterstrike’ capacity with defence budget boost, to triple drone spending")
In a bid to respond to a “severely intensifying security environment”, the Japanese government is planning to expand its drone arsenal as part of another record spending request made on Friday.
Japan has been moving away from its pacifist stance in recent years and aiming to obtain “counterstrike” capabilities by doubling its military spending to two per cent of GDP.
The country’s defence ministry made a request for a new military budget worth 8.8 trillion yen ($59.9 billion), according to a report by AFP. It surpasses the world’s fourth-largest economy’s previous record of 8.7 trillion yen, secured for this fiscal year ending in March 2026.
Special emphasis on drones
The ministry has earmarked spending on various types of unmanned vehicles in its budget request worth 313 billion yen.
Under the plan unveiled Friday, Tokyo is eyeing the use of drones to strengthen a planned coastal defence system it dubs “SHIELD”.
In the worst-case scenario where Japan’s long-distance “standoff” missiles are bypassed by enemy troops, it is hoped SHIELD – Synchronised, Hybrid, Integrated and Enhanced Littoral Defence – could block any invasion nearer land, an official told AFP.
“There’s a need to catch up with significant changes in the way militaries fight,” the defence official said.
Trump wants Japan to gear up
Japan, which hosts some 54,000 US military personnel, is also coming under pressure from US President Donald Trump’s administration to beef up its defence capabilities.
Washington and Tokyo are moving to make their forces more nimble in response to threats such as a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Japan is also looking to boost arms exports, and this month won a $6 billion order from the Australian navy for 11 frigates.
The budget request will now be vetted by the finance ministry, with the central government expected in the coming months to draw up a comprehensive budget proposal that is anticipated to be a record high.
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