Japan

Oct- 2026 -

14 October

Air

Concept of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) sixth-generation fighter jet

Edgewing Opens GCAP Engineering Hub in Italy

British defense company Edgewing has inaugurated an engineering facility in Turin, Italy, marking a major milestone in support of the Global Combat Air Program to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet for Italy, Japan, and the UK by 2035.

12 October

Air

Bea Castañeda

Global Combat Air Programme: Inside the UK, Italy, and Japan’s Sixth-Gen Fighter Jet

This guide reveals that GCAP is more than a next-generation fighter program. It combines stealth, artificial intelligence, and collaborative combat aircraft into a connected air combat ecosystem designed to meet the challenges of future warfare.

12 October

Asia Pacific

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airman assigned to the Western Air Civil Engineering Group sets up a drone during a bilateral live fire exercise at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 18, 2023. U.S. and Japanese partners worked together, repairing the craters and exchanging knowledge while observers from both countries watched. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anwtain Hanks)

Giulia Bernacchi

Thales Plans Defense Equipment Support Base in Japan

French defense company Thales plans to establish a base in Japan to maintain and support equipment used by the country’s Self-Defense Forces.

9 October

Sea

The JS Shōgei (SS-519) Taigei-class attack submarine

Rojoef Manuel

Mitsubishi Debuts Japan’s Seventh Taigei Attack Submarine

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has launched the seventh Taigei-class diesel-electric attack submarine for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at its shipyard in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture.

9 October

Arms

Rojoef Manuel

Japan Reviews Arms Rules as Ukraine Requests Patriot Interceptors

Japan is preparing to reopen internal government discussions on the direct supply or sale of defense equipment to Ukraine, including interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

Sep- 2026 -

29 September

Asia Pacific

(Representative only.) A humanoid robot. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Samantha Alexa

Japan Eyes AI-Powered Humanoid Robots for Military Roles

Japan is exploring AI-equipped humanoid robots for military support roles as the country’s Self-Defense Forces grapple with personnel shortage.

24 September

Sea

Rojoef Manuel

Japan Rolls Out First Akane Landing Craft

Japan Marine United Corporation has unveiled the initial Akane-class landing craft for the Japan Self-Defense Forces at its shipyard in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.

19 September

Sea

The JCG Hiroshima (PL-207) Miyako-class large patrol vessel

Rojoef Manuel

Mitsubishi Transfers 7th Miyako Patrol Vessel to Japan Coast Guard

The Japan Coast Guard has taken delivery of its seventh Miyako-class large patrol vessel, the JCG Hiroshima, from Mitsubishi.

16 September

Americas

A US Army 11th Airborne Division soldier uses a computer during an exercise. Photo: Correy Mathews/US Army 11th Airborne Division

Samantha Alexa

US Army Uses AI to Predict Logistics Risks in Japan Drill

The US Army’s 11th Airborne Division deployed Gallatin AI’s Navigator platform to forecast supply needs and identify logistics risks during Exercise Yama Sakura 91 in Japan.

9 September

Asia Pacific