Posted on 08/19/2016 12:09:40 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Japan aims to develop a prototype drone fighter jet in two decades with private sector help in a technology strategy that focuses on weapons communications and lasers, according to a document seen by Reuters.
The plan will be announced this month when the Defense Ministry also unveils its request for a record budget of 5.16 trillion yen ($51 billion) for fiscal 2017, as tension rises in the East China Sea and North Korea steps up its missile threat, government officials with direct knowledge of the matter said.
The military technology plan calls for first developing an unmanned surveillance aircraft in the next decade and then an unmanned fighter jet 10 years later, the document showed.
The rise of 2.3 percent over this year's budget of 5.05 trillion yen marks the fifth successive annual increase sought by the ministry, which is keen to stiffen Japan's defenses as North Korea upgrades its ballistic missile technology.
However, one security analyst said the spending was insufficient. "The security environment surrounding Japan is severe, due to neighboring North Korea and China," said Takashi Kawakami, a security expert at Japan's Takushoku University.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Unlike Europe and Obamao’s America, Japan thinks they have a civilization worth defending. Imagine that!
Pikers
They could jump start the effort by partnering with Israel. I could see an Israeli, Indian, Taiwanese,Korean and Japanese alliance . The US has proven unreliable.
they know that Donald Trump is going to be the next president.
:(
But....I think you are correct.
They’re a decade too late and a few billion yen too short.
“Japan aims to develop a prototype drone fighter jet in two decades...”
Two decades?
That probably means they’re ready to deploy it on the black side.
Japan’s shrunken manhood? From Kamikazes to UAVs.
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