Japan’s defense minister says his country will begin bilateral discussions with Turkey on Japan’s possible purchase of Turkish drones.
Nakatani Gen, on a two-day visit to the country that started on Tuesday, has held talks with Turkey’s defense chief, Yasar Guler, and the head of the Defense Industry Agency.
On Wednesday, he toured Turkish Aerospace Industries, the country’s leading defense company and a manufacturer of drones.
He later told reporters that during his meeting with the president of the Defense Industry Agency, they shared Japan’s interest in Turkey’s unmanned aerial vehicles. He said they agreed to set up working-level talks to discuss the possibility of cooperation.
Nakatani was asked whether Japan plans to consider introducing military equipment from Turkey, including drones, which have attracted the interest of the international community.
He said his visits to the defense companies do not necessarily mean that Japan plans to buy Turkish defense equipment.
At the same time, he said the two sides will launch studies on the possibility of specific cooperation, suggesting the purchase of such equipment will be put on the table.
AloJapan.com