Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus D&S) to explore the development of a Japanese anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant of the U950 Eurodrone.

Under the agreement, the two companies will examine potential maritime and ASW applications of the Eurodrone remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). KHI will also consider possible operational concepts, including, coordination with the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's (JMSDF) P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), for which Kawasaki is the prime contractor. KHI said it has been studying future long-endurance unmanned aerial systems (UAS) concepts by drawing on its experience and expertise as a system integrator in the MPA domain.

Airbus said the partnership will examine options for the design, development, and commercialisation for a future Japanese maritime version of Eurodrone. The insights gained from developing Japan’s specific variant are expected to provide substantial operational and logistical advantages for future European naval versions of Eurodrone, Airbus said. This study will define potential configurations, integration of Japanese sensors and effectors and opportunities for Japanese industrial participation in production and sustainment.

According to Airbus, the work is intended to ensure that Japan could operate the Eurodrone independently, should it decide to acquire the RPAS. Airbus contends that the Eurodrone is ideally suited for countries like Japan that need to monitor large maritime areas.

Japan could potentially complement its current crewed anti-submarine warfare fleet with an uncrewed platform such as Eurodrone, which can cover a wide range of missions - from airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance to early warning and signals intelligence, as well as maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. It can carry a mission payload of 2,300 kg (including sonobuoys and torpedoes) and stay airborne for up to 40 hours.

The Eurodrone is Europe’s first large long-endurance RPAS and is being developed by Germany, France, Italy and Spain, led by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). The programme’s maiden flight is scheduled for 2029. Japan has held observer status in the programme since 2023, while India is also an observer. 

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