Japan has conducted live-fire exercises to shoot down drones for the first time as concerns grow over unmanned aerial threats and regional security pressures. The drills are part of Rising Thunder, a joint training exercise with the U.S. Army held at the Yakima Training Center in Washington state.
The exercise, which began on October 27 and runs through November 12, involves roughly 440 personnel from Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force and about 500 U.S. Army troops. Japanese soldiers practiced intercepting airborne target drones using portable air-defense and counter-UAS equipment provided by U.S. forces.
The drills are being viewed as a significant development in Japan’s approach to unmanned threats, particularly as drones have become central to modern conflict, most visibly in Ukraine, where both sides rely on uncrewed aircraft for surveillance and attack missions. Defense analysts in Japan have warned that swarms of inexpensive drones could overwhelm traditional air-defense systems.
The training comes shortly after Sanae Takaichi took office as Japan’s new prime minister. Takaichi has long advocated for stronger defense measures in response to Chinese military pressure around Taiwan and in the East China Sea. Her administration is expected to continue strengthening defense coordination with the United States.
Japan does not have large-scale training areas suitable for live drone shootdowns, making U.S.-based exercises a key component of its growing counter-UAS training. The drills are also seen as a signal of continued operational cooperation between Japanese and U.S. forces.
Die Rising Thunder exercise is scheduled to conclude next week.
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Post Image – Japanese soldiers pictured together during Operation Rising Thunder 2016 (Post Image Credit: U.S. Armee)
