Concern Over Chinese Drones Dominating Global Market Leads US, Japan to Plan Technology Cooperation for Counterbalance
With Chinese-made drones sweeping the global market and their increasing use in warfare, the US is deeply concerned and plans to collaborate with Japan on a dual-use technology cooperation framework for small drones and other military/civilian applications. Japan, anxious about its own lagging drone technology, is showing active engagement in this cooperation. This move aims to counter China's technological superiority and strengthen defense capabilities.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 17:37
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 18:02 (24 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 18:12 (10 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA) — Taipei, April 27 — Japanese media reported that given the global dominance of Chinese-made drones and their increasing application in warfare, the United States is deeply concerned and is consequently joining forces with Japan to establish a dual-use technology cooperation framework for small drones and other military and civilian technologies. Japan, anxious about the lagging state of its own drone technology, is showing an active attitude towards this cooperation.
Kyodo News reported that according to Japanese defense-related sources, U.S. military industrial companies have recently been increasingly promoting drone businesses to Japan and collaborating with Japanese related companies.
For instance, Northrop Grumman, a leading U.S. defense contractor, held an event in Tokyo on April 22, where its top executives personally introduced their drone products and directly pointed out that modern warfare faces the threat of "a large number of simultaneously incoming small drones" and cruise missiles. Officials from the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Ministry of Defense also attended this event.
The report directly points out that in recent years, small drones have been widely used in conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions, but the production capacity of the G7 countries in this regard is weak. In contrast, China's DJI holds an overwhelming advantage in the global drone market, with a 72.7% market share in 2023, while French and U.S. manufacturers ranked second and third only accounted for 0.9% and 0.7% respectively.
The report mentions that in view of Japan's current security environment, Japanese business sources indicate that this U.S.-Japan cooperation framework is a "project particularly desired by the U.S. military." High-ranking U.S. officials have actively stated that this project will become "the largest level of technology plan connecting the U.S. and Japan."
The report also notes that although the Japanese government revised its "Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer" and operational guidelines on April 21, abolishing previous restrictions that only allowed exports of five types such as rescue and transport, thereby making it possible in principle to export "weapons" with lethal capabilities, symbolizing a major shift in security policy. However, this cooperation project may still become a focus of deliberation in the Diet in the future. (Editors: Chiu Kuo-chiang / Chu Chien-ling) 1150427
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and audio/video content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcasted, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.
Kyodo News reported that according to Japanese defense-related sources, U.S. military industrial companies have recently been increasingly promoting drone businesses to Japan and collaborating with Japanese related companies.
For instance, Northrop Grumman, a leading U.S. defense contractor, held an event in Tokyo on April 22, where its top executives personally introduced their drone products and directly pointed out that modern warfare faces the threat of "a large number of simultaneously incoming small drones" and cruise missiles. Officials from the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Ministry of Defense also attended this event.
The report directly points out that in recent years, small drones have been widely used in conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions, but the production capacity of the G7 countries in this regard is weak. In contrast, China's DJI holds an overwhelming advantage in the global drone market, with a 72.7% market share in 2023, while French and U.S. manufacturers ranked second and third only accounted for 0.9% and 0.7% respectively.
The report mentions that in view of Japan's current security environment, Japanese business sources indicate that this U.S.-Japan cooperation framework is a "project particularly desired by the U.S. military." High-ranking U.S. officials have actively stated that this project will become "the largest level of technology plan connecting the U.S. and Japan."
The report also notes that although the Japanese government revised its "Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer" and operational guidelines on April 21, abolishing previous restrictions that only allowed exports of five types such as rescue and transport, thereby making it possible in principle to export "weapons" with lethal capabilities, symbolizing a major shift in security policy. However, this cooperation project may still become a focus of deliberation in the Diet in the future. (Editors: Chiu Kuo-chiang / Chu Chien-ling) 1150427
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and audio/video content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcasted, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.