Japan Tests Israeli Heron-2 Drone, Signaling Shift in Defense Procurement Strategy

Japan is conducting tests of the Israeli-made Heron-2 unmanned aerial system (UAS), a move that could signal a significant shift in Tokyo’s defense procurement policy. The drone, built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), was recently spotted at a Japanese airport carrying Israeli registration numbers and markings from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, suggesting close industrial collaboration.

The particular Heron-2 seen in Japan was configured for electronic warfare, though its primary capabilities lie in long-range reconnaissance and precision strike missions. If the Japanese government decides to proceed with acquisition, Kawasaki could potentially manufacture the platform domestically, boosting Japan’s self-reliance while integrating advanced foreign technology.

This marks the first recorded test of an Israeli defense system on Japanese soil, a noteworthy milestone given Tokyo’s past caution in importing complete Israeli weapon systems. For decades, Japan refrained from such purchases partly due to the Arab boycott, instead limiting imports to components and subsystems. That stance began to shift after a 2020 defense cooperation agreement between Japan and Israel, which opened the door to sharing classified technologies and conducting joint projects.

The Heron-2, also known as Shoval in Israeli service, belongs to the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) class of drones. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and electronic warfare missions, with a proven operational record in the Middle East. The platform is used by several militaries, including Germany, India, and the Czech Republic, and has been deployed in complex environments such as operations over Iran.

Measuring 9 meters in length with a 17-meter wingspan, the Heron-2 can carry up to 250 kilograms of sensors and weaponry. Powered by a Rotax 916 engine, it can cruise at 207 kilometers per hour, operate at altitudes of up to 10,058 meters, and remain airborne for an impressive 52 hours, providing persistent coverage across vast areas.

Japan’s interest in the Heron-2 is part of a broader military modernization program aimed at countering growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Alongside the Heron-2, Tokyo is also evaluating Turkey’s Bayraktar drone, expanding its naval capabilities with new surface combatants, pursuing a next-generation stealth fighter program with the UK and Italy, and investing heavily in autonomous and unmanned technologies.

Domestically, Japan has a strong aerospace industry that already produces transport aircraft, patrol planes, and even a locally manufactured variant of the U.S. F-16 fighter jet. A potential Heron-2 production partnership with Kawasaki could deepen technological know-how, reduce dependence on imports, and create a new pillar in Japan’s defense export ambitions.

Defense analysts note that with rising tensions in the East China Sea, growing North Korean missile threats, and increased Chinese maritime activity, unmanned aerial platforms like the Heron-2 could give Japan critical surveillance and rapid-response capabilities without risking pilots’ lives.

If the Heron-2 trials prove successful, it would not only enhance Japan’s military reach but also represent a strategic realignment in Tokyo’s procurement policy, reflecting a willingness to source complete high-tech weapon systems from new partners beyond its traditional U.S. alliance framework.