Japan's Rakuten Group will partner with German defense startup Helsing to propose Helsing's attack drones to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), help introduce the products to Japan, and consider domestic drone production.
Helsing develops AI-equipped autonomous attack drones and has supplied them to Ukraine, with future deliveries planned for the German Bundeswehr. As Helsing has no track record in Japan, Rakuten will serve as the cooperation window to help introduce the products.
Plans include conducting demonstration tests of Helsing drones with the JGSDF and sharing latest product information to facilitate future procurement. The two companies will also cooperate if domestic mass production of drones in Japan is pursued.
The Japanese government plans to revise its three security-related documents within 2026, when it will present a policy to strengthen domestic drone production infrastructure.
