Low-cost mass production of drones and missiles has become Japan’s new defense priority. The government intends to use production facilities designed for civilian goods. The Defense Ministry and other entities explained this plan on Monday. They presented the proposal at a meeting of the LDP’s Research Commission on Security. The meeting focused on revisions to three security-related documents.
Attention has focused on new methods of warfare from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The mass deployment of low-cost drones has destroyed expensive bombers and tanks. Ukraine has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach against a larger adversary. Furthermore, drawing on these lessons, Japan wants to establish a manufacturing foundation for drones and guided missiles. The government aims to produce these weapons at low cost and in a short timeframe.
The government is also considering a government-owned, privately operated model for production. Manufacturing infrastructure would become nationalized under this approach. However, private companies would continue to operate the facilities. Lawmakers at Monday’s meeting cited the need to boost demand during peacetime. Civilian goods that can also serve drone production need consistent orders. Without peacetime demand, factories would struggle to maintain production capacity.
Prior to the meeting, the government presented a draft revision of the Implementation Guidelines. These guidelines cover the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology. The draft includes provisions for ex post facto notification to the Diet. The government would need to inform lawmakers after exporting lethal weapons. This represents a significant shift from previous export restrictions.
Additionally, industry experts view this plan as a pragmatic response to modern warfare. Traditional high-cost, low-volume defense production cannot match drone swarm tactics. Japan’s civilian manufacturing sector already produces advanced electronics and components. Retooling existing factories for drone production would cost far less than building new facilities.
Questions remain about quality control and weapons export regulations. Lawmakers will likely debate these issues during the security document revision process. The government hopes to implement the plan within the next few years. Success depends on close cooperation between the Defense Ministry and private manufacturers.
