Japanese Navy Equipped With Domestically Developed Underwater Drones

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has received underwater drones designed for reconnaissance and mine countermeasures.

The agency’s press service published corresponding photos on its X account.

The new systems are the result of domestic research and development and are intended to enhance Japan’s defense capabilities amid growing security concerns involving Russia and China.

Research into compact underwater systems began in 2019.

That year, Japan’s Ministry of Defense, together with the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, signed contracts to develop two types of vehicles. One was developed by IHI (Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries), the other by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

In 2021, the agency ordered initial production units. The IHI system was designated the “Small Underwater Unmanned Vehicle Type-1,” while Mitsubishi’s system was designated “Type-2.”

At the time, the cost was $34.26 million for the Type-1 vehicle produced by IHI and $31.94 million for the Type-2 vehicle produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

In line with established procurement practices, Japan’s Ministry of Defense has not disclosed the exact number of vehicles ordered, formally registering the contracts as the purchase of “one set” under a confidentiality regime covering actual delivery volumes.

During the same period, in November 2021, the Ministry of Defense also awarded a contract to JMU Defense Systems to develop and manufacture a launch system for the underwater drones. The contract was valued at $1.53 million.

Special mechanisms allow the drones to be safely launched into the water from both ships and shore-based facilities.

The primary platforms for these systems will be Mogami-class frigates, which are tasked with mine countermeasure operations.

On these vessels, the drones are expected to play a central role in detecting and neutralizing naval mines as part of Japan’s updated maritime defense doctrine.

Militarnyi has previously reported that Mogami-class frigates were gaining mine countermeasure capabilities through the integration of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles.

To support this role, the ships have been equipped with a suite of remotely operated systems that allow mines to be detected and neutralized at a safe distance.