Japan eyes purchase of Ukrainian combat drones after their success on battlefield – media

That is according to Kyodo News, Ukrinform reports.

Sources familiar with the matter said the signing of a bilateral arms transfer agreement to safeguard secrets is one option for facilitating the move, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky eager to exchange his country's defense technology for weapons provided by Japan.

One option under consideration is signing a bilateral defense equipment transfer agreement, which could facilitate the purchase. The sources noted that Ukraine is seeking to exchange its defense technologies for weapons supplied by Japan.

The idea comes after Ukraine sounded Japan out about it, a diplomatic source said.

While purchasing drones from Israel is also an option, the Japanese government apparently believes that sourcing the unmanned aerial vehicles from Ukraine would be less controversial, amid widespread international criticism of the Israeli military's actions in the Gaza Strip.

"While Japan has little expertise in drones, Ukraine has repeatedly upgraded theirs over a short period of time based on real battlefield experience, making them highly capable," a Japanese Defense Ministry source said.

The Japanese government is on course to ease its defense equipment transfer rules, possibly in April, to allow, in principle, exports of lethal weapons.

A proposal by the ruling parties, which was submitted to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi earlier this month, created room for Ukraine to receive weapons from Japan as long as it has signed a defense equipment transfer agreement and is deemed as entitled to be granted exceptional treatment in light of Japan's national security needs.

Earlier reports said Japan had called on China to ensure its naval activities do not threaten Japan after two Chinese aircraft carriers conducted maneuvers near Japanese islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Photo: Ukrainian Defense Ministry