Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kawasaki Heavy Industries with the aim of studying possible avenues of collaboration on a Japanese variant of the Eurodrone U950 specifically oriented towards anti-submarine warfare.
The Eurodrone U950 is the first large-size, long-endurance European remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), integrated into the Eurodrone program, in which Japan has participated with observer status since 2023, Airbus said this Friday in a statement.
The company highlighted that "The Eurodrone is ideal for countries like Japan, which need to monitor vast maritime areas," emphasizing that, compared to its closest competitor, it has a "very prolonged" flight endurance and can carry a "much larger mission payload, including acoustic buoys and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare."
Reinforcement for the Japanese anti-submarine fleet
With the incorporation of the Eurodrone, Japan would have the possibility of reinforcing its current manned anti-submarine warfare fleet with an unmanned platform, thus increasing its maritime security capabilities.
In the next stage, Airbus will initiate detailed discussions with Kawasaki Heavy Industries to assess design, development, and commercialization options for a future Japanese maritime version of the Eurodrone. This work will include defining potential configurations, integrating Japanese-sourced sensors and effectors, and identifying tasks to be shared with local industry during the production and maintenance phases.
In this regard, Airbus stressed that "all of this is aimed at ensuring that Japan can operate the Eurodrone sovereignly and without restrictions," should the country choose to acquire this RPAS. The cooperation with Japan also aims to bolster the Eurodrone program and deepen the strategic framework of defense initiatives between Europe and the Asian country.
The technological and integration advancements obtained with the development of the specific variant for Japan are expected to provide operational and logistical benefits to future European naval versions of the Eurodrone.
European program in development and system capabilities
The Eurodrone is a multinational program in which four European countries participate —Germany, France, Italy, and Spain—, under the direction of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). It is currently in the development phase and is expected to make its first flight in 2029.
India also forms part of the initiative as an observer. Regarding its capabilities, Airbus details that the system can execute a wide range of missions: from aerial intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance to early warning and signals intelligence, in addition to maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare.
Likewise, with a mission payload of up to 2.3 tons (excluding fuel), the Eurodrone is capable of staying airborne for a maximum of 40 hours.