A Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat drone is pictured at SAHA EXPO Defense & Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey, October 27, 2022. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]
Japan’s defense minister will hold talks in Turkey on Tuesday on defense industry cooperation, including the possible supply of Turkish-made drones, as Tokyo expands the role of unmanned systems in its armed forces.
Gen Nakatani is the first Japanese defense minister to make such an official trip to Turkey, which is keen to expand its economic and other ties beyond Europe and the Middle East.
Nakatani and his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, are expected to “discuss ways to expand cooperation on defense equipment and technology and exchange views on regional developments,” a diplomatic source in Ankara said.
They also aim to increase contacts between the Turkish Armed Forces and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces at unit level, the source added. Nakatani is also scheduled to visit Istanbul on Wednesday.
Turkish and Japanese defense ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
During the visit, Nakatani will tour Turkish defense companies and facilities including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), navy shipyards and drone maker Baykar, according to a defense ministry source.
“Apart from general matters, defense 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,” the defense ministry source said.
Turkey-backed firms have supplied drones to several countries, including Ukraine, while Japan is preparing to expand the use of unmanned aerial vehicles across its ground, air and naval forces.
Japan is considering Turkish drones among potential options as part of this effort, the diplomatic source said.
Turkey and Japan have both condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though Ankara has maintained cordial relations with Moscow and has not joined Western economic sanctions against it.
Nakatani’s visit to Turkey is part of a regional tour from August 17–22 that also includes stops in Djibouti and Jordan. [Reuters]
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