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Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has arrived in Türkiye for an official visit, during which he will inspect the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at Baykar’s facilities.
According to diplomatic sources speaking to Reuters, Nakatani’s agenda includes meetings with major Turkish defense companies such as Baykar and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), focusing on UAVs and broader defense cooperation.
The visit is expected to include a technical review of the TB2’s capabilities.
Japan’s Defense Ministry has allocated 100 billion yen (approximately $676 million) in its 2026 defense budget for unmanned aerial vehicles.
Experts note that Japan plans short-term imports and long-term domestic production, citing the TB2’s cost-effectiveness as aligning with its strategic goals.
The Japanese government has analyzed lessons from the war in Ukraine, examining how the Bayraktar TB2 has enhanced combat capabilities.
In June, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party proposed that TB2 serve as a model for preparing for next-generation warfare.
Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar has previously stated that the upcoming TB3 UAV, with foldable wings, would be well-suited for Japan’s Izumo-class carriers, allowing more UAVs to operate from a single platform.
Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun reported that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces have tested the Bayraktar TB2 alongside Israel’s Heron-2 UAVs, highlighting the TB2’s low operational cost, agility, and battlefield success.
Baykar has also unveiled the TB2T-AI, an AI-enhanced variant capable of reaching 30,318 feet, which is reportedly under Japanese review.
Japan has also shown interest in STM’s Kargu kamikaze UAVs.
STM CEO Ozgur Guleryuz confirmed that Japan has repeatedly inspected and expressed demand for the drones at international exhibitions.
Both countries are U.S. allies. While Japan condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Türkiye has maintained diplomatic relations with Moscow, pursuing a different balance policy.
Japan’s potential acquisition of the TB2 would mark Türkiye’s first large-scale defense export success in the Asia-Pacific region.
Türkiye is already exporting TB2s to Ukraine, Azerbaijan Poland and Qatar.
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