TOKYO – The government is considering introducing to the Self-Defense Forces drones equipped with early warning radar that is capable of monitoring a wide area and detecting threats promptly, as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s defenses in the Pacific, according to government sources.
The sources said the government intends to deploy vehicle-mounted warning and control radar systems on Iwoto Island and Chichijima Island of the Ogasawara island chain, which is under Tokyo’s jurisdiction.
The move is aimed to enhance deterrence and response capabilities against the Chinese military, which is stepping up its maritime activities, by improving the surveillance network in the Pacific — an area often referred to as a surveillance “blind spot.”
The government plans to include measures to strengthen the Pacific surveillance system in its three security documents, including the Defense Buildup Program, which are expected to be revised within the year. This initiative is part of those specific measures, the sources said.
While the government will determine in the future the specific aircraft model to carry such early warning radar, the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, a U.S.-made unmanned aerial vehicle, has been seen as a leading candidate. The Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to introduce the aircraft in fiscal 2027. The SeaGuardian is capable of staying in the air for an extended period.
Airborne early warning aircraft used for maritime surveillance are also known as “flying radar sites.” They excel at detecting low-altitude and long-range targets that are difficult to spot from land or ships due to the horizon. These aircraft also play a role in the early detection of low-flying aircraft, ships and other objects. If early warning drones are deployed, the government will be able to monitor a wider area for longer periods, leading to workforce reductions and eased burdens on SDF personnel.
To achieve efficient operations, runways on Iwoto Island and Minami-Torishima Island, which is also administered by Tokyo, are also envisaged to be used for the takeoff and landing of early warning drones.
In addition to the introduction of the drones, the government intends to proceed with the deployment of radar systems on the islands, the sources said.
On Chichijima Island, deployment of a mobile radar system has been envisaged, and surveys for the deployment would begin this fiscal year. The current stationary radar system on Iwoto Island would be replaced with a mobile system.
The government’s decision to strengthen its surveillance and monitoring capabilities in the Pacific is based on the assessment that it is necessary from the perspective of deterring China.
The Chinese military is believed to be trying to establish a military strategy to prevent U.S. forces from approaching the area inside the “Second Island Chain” — which stretches from the Japan’s Izu Islands to Guam — in the event of a contingency related to Taiwan or similar situations. The Ogasawara Islands and Iwoto are located along this line.
Aggressive behavior by the Chinese military in the Pacific has been increasing. In June last year, two aircraft carriers were deployed simultaneously for the first time. Last December, an incident occurred in which Chinese carrier-based aircraft directed radar waves to SDF aircraft.
ANN/The Yomiuri Shimbun