Japan’s historic defense engagement with Turkey marks a pivotal shift in Tokyo’s military procurement strategy, as Defense Minister Gen Nakatani becomes the first Japanese defense chief to officially visit Ankara for comprehensive defense cooperation talks. This groundbreaking diplomatic initiative reflects Japan’s urgent need to modernize its Self-Defense Forces with proven unmanned aerial systems, particularly as regional security challenges intensify across East Asia. Turkey’s battle-tested drone technology, demonstrated effectively in Ukraine and other conflict zones, offers Japan access to advanced military capabilities that could significantly enhance its defensive posture.
Nakatani’s Ankara visit represents Japan’s first official defense minister engagement
Japan’s defence minister discussed defence industry cooperation and possible purchases of Turkish-made drones during a visit to Ankara on Tuesday, as Tokyo expands the role of unmanned systems in its armed forces.
Gen Nakatani is the first Japanese defence minister to make an official trip to Turkey, a NATO member country that is keen to expand economic and other ties beyond Europe and the Middle East. Turkey and Japan are both U.S. allies.
Ahead of the visit, a diplomatic source in Ankara said the two countries’ defence ministers would “discuss ways to expand cooperation on defence equipment and technology and exchange views on regional developments”. They also aim to increase contacts between the Turkish Armed Forces and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces at the unit level, the source said.
The unprecedented nature of Nakatani’s visit signals Japan’s strategic pivot toward diversifying its defense partnerships beyond traditional suppliers, recognizing that Turkey’s proven drone technology offers unique capabilities that align with Japan’s evolving security requirements. This diplomatic breakthrough represents years of careful relationship building between two U.S. allies who share common interests in regional stability while maintaining distinct geopolitical positions. The emphasis on unit-level military exchanges indicates both nations’ commitment to developing deep, operational-level cooperation that extends far beyond simple equipment purchases to encompass training, doctrine, and tactical integration.
Turkish aerospace facilities tour Highlights: Drone technology transfer potential
Nakatani will also visit Istanbul on Wednesday and tour defence companies and facilities, including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), navy shipyards, and drone-maker Baykar, a Turkish Defence Ministry official said.
“Defence industry cooperation will be on the agenda…” the official said. “They will hold inspections regarding drones, but an agreement is not expected. It is too early for an agreement.”
Turkey-backed firms have supplied drones to several countries, including Ukraine, while Japan is preparing to expand the use of unmanned aerial vehicles across its ground, air, and naval forces.
Japan is considering Turkish drones among potential options as part of this effort, the diplomatic source said.
What Defense Minister Guler’s cooperation commitment reveals about bilateral military ties
Defence Minister Yasar Guler said after he met with Nakatani that Turkey wanted to increase defence industry and military cooperation with Japan, his office said in a readout.
Turkey and Japan have both condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though Ankara has maintained cordial relations with Moscow and has not joined Western economic sanctions against it.
Nakatani’s visit to Turkey is part of a regional tour from August 17–22 that also includes stops in Djibouti and Jordan.
The proven combat effectiveness of Turkish drones in Ukraine provides Japan with compelling evidence of these systems’ operational capabilities under real-world conditions, making them attractive alternatives to more expensive Western platforms that may lack similar battlefield validation. Turkey’s willingness to share technology and provide training support offers Japan opportunities for genuine defense industrial cooperation rather than simple arms purchases, potentially enabling domestic production capabilities that align with Japan’s defense self-reliance objectives. This partnership model represents a new paradigm in Japan’s defense procurement strategy, emphasizing practical effectiveness and technological transfer over traditional supplier relationships that often limit indigenous development capabilities.
GCN.com/Reuters.