Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the builder of Japan’s P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, has signed a preliminary agreement with Airbus Defence and Space to study whether Europe’s Eurodrone could be adapted for anti-submarine patrols by Japan.
The arrangement marks the first known collaboration between a major Japanese heavy-industry group and a leading foreign company on defense drones, Nikkei Asia reported on June 26.
Kawasaki said in a June 26 statement that the memorandum of understanding will examine whether the Eurodrone, a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft under development in Europe, could be used mainly for anti-submarine missions and operate alongside the P-1.
Airbus said the companies will analyze a possible Japanese variant of the U950 Eurodrone, including configurations, Japanese sensors, mission equipment, industrial participation, and future commercialization if Japan decides to acquire the aircraft….Â
Kawasaki, Airbus to Study Japanese Anti-Submarine Version of Eurodrone
