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Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani visited major Turkish defense companies Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the first official trip by a Japanese defense minister to Türkiye as Tokyo explores potential drone acquisitions and expanded military cooperation.
Nakatani met with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler in Ankara before touring facilities of leading drone manufacturers Baykar and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), according to statements from both countries' defense ministries.
The visit comes as Japan seeks to expand its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across ground, air and naval forces. Turkish-made drones, including the Bayraktar TB3 and ANKA systems, are under consideration as potential options for Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
"We are ready to make every effort to achieve further development, especially in the defense industry and our military relations with our Japanese friends," Guler said during the meeting with his Japanese counterpart.
At Baykar's Ozdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, company officials including Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar and General Manager Haluk Bayraktar briefed the Japanese delegation on their drone systems and capabilities.
Haluk Bayraktar shared a personal connection during the visit, noting his late father Ozdemir Bayraktar had worked with Japanese company Shibaura Tractor decades earlier on a technology transfer project.
"I'm sure my late father would have been very proud to witness us hosting our Japanese friends, whom he was once inspired by, at these facilities where we develop our national UAVs," Haluk Bayraktar said.
The Japanese minister presented a gift featuring Japanese calligraphy reading: "Beyond the clouds, the sky is bright blue."
Baykar's TB3 drone, which has successfully conducted takeoffs and landings on Türkiye's TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship, could be particularly suitable for Japan's Izumo-class vessels, according to defense officials.
"The TB3 will be very suitable for Japan's Izumo-class platforms. The UAV's foldable wings will allow a carrier to accommodate more UAVs than fixed-wing aircraft," Haluk Bayraktar had stated in a March 2022 interview with Nikkei Asia.
The TB3 remains the world's only armed drone with short-runway naval platform landing capabilities.
Turkish Defense Industry President Haluk Gorgun also participated in the meetings, which focused on initiating dialogue between the two countries' defense sectors.
"Defence industry cooperation will be on the agenda... They will hold inspections regarding drones, but an agreement is not expected. It is too early for an agreement," a Turkish Defense Ministry official said.
Nakatani also visited Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command to review ongoing projects before concluding his visit.
During his meeting with Guler, Nakatani referenced the 135th anniversary of the Ertugrul frigate disaster and the 40th anniversary of Turkish Airlines' rescue of Japanese nationals during the Iran-Iraq War.
"This event caused a great stir in Japan. It is taught to children in textbooks in Japan," Nakatani said. "Thanks to you, the rescue of the Japanese has become a very famous story."
The visit marks 101 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Türkiye, with both nations serving as U.S. allies while maintaining distinct foreign policy approaches.
Nakatani's trip to Türkiye is part of a broader regional tour from Aug. 17-22 that includes stops in Djibouti and Jordan.
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