Japan Selects MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drone for Enhanced Maritime Surveillance Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Japan has made a significant decision in its defense strategy by opting to procure the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone, enhancing its capabilities in long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations. This development follows closely on the heels of India’s agreement to purchase the same advanced drone for its Navy earlier this year.

The decision comes after comprehensive trials carried out by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF), who have been testing the Sea Guardian since May 2023 as part of their Medium-Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) System Trial Operations Project. The JMSDF is evaluating the potential of the Sea Guardian to take over certain operations that are currently managed by manned aircraft.

In a press release, GA-ASI emphasized its commitment to enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities in Japan through their Optix+ software. This technology harnesses data from the Sea Guardian’s sensors and other sources, delivering a comprehensive situational awareness picture to operators. The software is designed to quickly analyze and present data, facilitating real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations by enabling the automatic detection of unusual activities over maritime areas.

Recent reports suggest that Japan plans to purchase up to 23 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones over the next decade to fortify its surveillance in the strategically sensitive East China Sea. This initiative follows the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s launch of a tender for a Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, with only the Sea Guardian qualifying for participation.

Additionally, the Japanese Coast Guard has already embraced the Sea Guardian, formalizing the purchase of two units in August. These drones are slated for delivery in the coming year, augmenting the three MQ-9Bs that the Coast Guard has leased from General Atomics since April 2022.

This announcement by Japan follows closely on India’s acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardians, a deal signed by its Ministry of Defence. Of that total, 15 units are designated for the Indian Navy, while the remaining Sky Guardians will be divided between the Army and Air Force. With these purchases, both Japan and India join the ranks of other nations, including the US, UK, and Belgium, operating the advanced MQ-9B system.

The newly acquired MQ-9B drones are expected to significantly enhance the JMSDF’s ISR capabilities within its extensive maritime domain, particularly in light of rising tensions with China. The Chinese military has ramped up its presence around the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea, prompting greater vigilance from Tokyo. An August incursion by a Chinese Y-9 spy plane into Japanese airspace and the passage of a Chinese aircraft carrier into Japan’s contiguous waters have heightened security concerns, particularly regarding the territorial disputes over the Senkaku Islands, claimed by both nations.

At a recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba voiced serious apprehensions about the escalating situation in the East China Sea and the intensification of Chinese military operations.

The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is notable for its technical specifications: measuring 11.7 meters in length and 24 meters in wingspan, it has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,670 kilograms. This sophisticated drone operates at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet, can reach speeds of 210 kilometers per hour, and has a substantial range of 6,000 nautical miles. With the capability to remain airborne for over 30 hours via satellite, regardless of weather conditions, the Sea Guardian can seamlessly integrate into civil airspace, enhancing operational situational awareness across maritime domains at all times.

The drone’s adaptability allows it to conduct a variety of missions, including anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, as well as border surveillance and law enforcement. Its innovative Detect and Avoid System and ground control station enable it to operate safely alongside commercial air traffic, providing operators with a detailed view comparable to that of piloted aircraft.

Japan’s strategic move to integrate the MQ-9B Sea Guardian into its defense infrastructure marks an important step in reinforcing national security against regional challenges posed by China, Russia, and North Korea.