Portuguese defense technology company Tekever, whose unmanned aerial systems are already in service with Ukraine, will establish a drone manufacturing facility in Japan in partnership with Japanese trading corporation Marubeni. The companies are currently selecting a site for the new plant and expect to announce its location within the coming months.
According to Nikkei, Marubeni will help Tekever expand into the Japanese market by serving as the company’s official distributor and supporting sales to domestic customers. The partnership could also open the door to exports across Asia. The companies are expected to sign a cooperation agreement soon, making Tekever the first foreign drone manufacturer to establish production facilities in Japan.
The development is particularly noteworthy because it could eventually provide the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) with combat-proven systems tested in Ukraine. Tekever already supplies its AR3 and AR5 reconnaissance drones to Ukraine, where they have accumulated extensive operational experience under combat conditions.
Tekever is also developing the ARX, a substantially larger unmanned platform with a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kg, a payload of up to 150 kg, and an endurance of up to 16 hours.
The agreement also highlights Japan’s rapidly growing investment in military drone technologies. Tokyo has expanded cooperation with Ukraine in several UAV-related fields, including interceptor drone development, while simultaneously accelerating its own procurement and industrial programs.
Earlier this year, Japan awarded its first publicly disclosed contract for FPV drones, purchasing 300 systems from domestic manufacturer Terra Drone for approximately $700,000.
Japan has also shown interest in Germany’s HX-2 loitering munition, often described as a counterpart to russia’s Lancet. The two sides have already signed a preliminary cooperation agreement, although the scale of any future procurement has not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, U.S. defense company Anduril plans to acquire one of Nissan’s historic manufacturing plants in Japan for defense production. If completed, the deal would further reinforce Japan’s emergence as a major hub for military drone development and manufacturing, supported by growing cooperation with both European and American defense companies.