Japan coast guard eyes doubling MQ-9B drones to 10 to beef up surveillance

TOKYO - Japan plans to reinforce its maritime surveillance capabilities by doubling the number of MQ-9B large drones operated by its coast guard to 10 over five years, in the face of China's assertiveness in nearby waters, according to the draft budget for fiscal 2026.

The Japan Coast Guard earmarked 11.1 billion yen ($70 million) for the next fiscal year starting April for the operation of the unmanned aircraft. The spending is part of the 122 trillion yen draft initial budget for fiscal 2026, which the government aims to pass through the Diet by the end of March.