Turkiye ready to share drone expertise with Japan

Turkiye is ready to cooperate with Japan on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, including the joint development and production of drones, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is convinced, arguing that closer defence-industrial ties could create major opportunities for both countries.

Fidan told Japanese reporters that Turkiye, having emerged as as one of the world's leading drone producers,  is keen to expand defence cooperation with Japan.

He particularly pointed to the two countries possessing complementary strengths, which could support a mutually beneficial partnership.

The minister said Turkish drone technologies have proven their effectiveness in a variety of operational environments and could provide a strong foundation for collaborative projects with Japan.

“In aviation, particularly in unmanned aerial systems and anti-drone technologies, Türkiye has developed advanced and field-tested capabilities that could provide a strong basis for collaboration,” the minister said.

Fidan also revealed that negotiations on a social security agreement between the two countries have made progress, expressing hope that a deal could be finalized in the near future.

Japan is the third-largest Asian trading partner for Ankara, after China and South Korea. Bilateral trade reached $5.7 billion last year, with more than $5 billion of that consisting of Japanese exports to Turkiye.

Beyond defence, he pointed to significant untapped potential for cooperation in sectors including energy, digital transformation, aerospace technology, robotics and resilient supply chains.

Addressing Turkiye's critical minerals sector, Fidan said Ankara's goal goes beyond simply extracting raw materials and instead focuses on creating higher-value industrial products.

"Strategic objective is not simply extraction, but producing high-value-added intermediate and end products. In that sense, cooperation with Japanese technology and investment could create a true win-win partnership, and we are ready to work closely with Japan in this field as well,” Fidan said.

Fidan added that Turkiye hopes to host leaders and defence ministers from NATO's Indo-Pacific partners — including Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand — at the alliance's summit scheduled for July in Ankara, provided all member states agree.

By Nazrin Sadigova