Japan’s Navy Successfully Tests Unmanned Mine Hunter in Landmark Naval Exercise

Japan has taken a significant step forward in modern naval warfare by successfully testing an unmanned surface vessel (USV) for live mine disposal operations for the first time. This breakthrough was announced on June 17 by Admiral Hiroshi Saito, Chief of Staff of the Maritime Staff Office, during a press conference. The operation represents a major milestone for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), showcasing the growing importance of unmanned systems in ensuring maritime safety and operational flexibility.

The historic test took place off the coast of Iwo Jima, where the JMSDF conducted live mine-clearing operations using a fully unmanned platform. The exercise, which spanned June 15 and 16, involved a specially designed mine disposal USV along with a self-propelled mine disposal charge known as an EMD (Expendable Mine Disposal). Both systems were remotely operated from aboard the JS Mogami, one of Japan’s newest Mogami-class multi-mission destroyers.

During the operation, the unmanned surface vessel was launched from the mothership and guided towards a designated target area where a live naval mine had been identified. Once on location, the USV deployed the EMD charge, which was navigated to the mine and detonated under remote control, neutralizing the threat from a safe distance. What made this exercise particularly notable was that it was carried out in realistic sea conditions, with environmental factors like currents, waves, and underwater obstacles posing real-world challenges to the operation.

Admiral Saito described the test as a validation of the effectiveness of unmanned surface vessels in mine countermeasure operations. “This is the first time the Maritime Self-Defense Force has conducted live mine disposal using a fully unmanned surface platform. It has enhanced our mine-clearing capability,” he told reporters. He also emphasized that the operation marks the beginning of a new era in mine warfare for Japan, with plans to further refine and expand these capabilities through additional tests and training exercises.

The USV used in the operation was developed by JMU Defense Systems, a division of Japan Marine United Corporation, which specializes in advanced naval defense technologies. This particular unmanned platform is part of a broader suite of modern mine countermeasure systems being integrated into the Mogami-class ships, which are designed to support a range of maritime security missions, from anti-submarine warfare to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Beyond the technical achievement, this successful trial reflects a strategic shift within Japan’s naval doctrine. As tensions in regional waters continue to rise, particularly in areas like the East China Sea and around disputed islands, maintaining safe and open sea lanes is a national priority. The ability to detect and neutralize naval mines remotely enhances the JMSDF’s operational safety, reduces risks to personnel, and allows for quicker, more flexible responses to potential threats.

Admiral Saito noted that the JMSDF will continue with a series of exercises and system validations aimed at fully integrating unmanned mine countermeasure systems into routine operations. The vision is to make these advanced technologies a permanent and reliable feature of Japan’s maritime defense, ensuring safer seas and modernizing the fleet’s operational capabilities in line with contemporary naval warfare trends.