U.S. spy drones likely to be deployed to western Japan air base
14:20 JST, January 27, 2022
The U.S. military’s MQ-9 reconnaissance drones are being considered for deployment to a Maritime Self-Defense Force air base in Kagoshima Prefecture, several Japanese government sources said.
MSDF Kanoya Air Base is the likely location, with the aim of strengthening vigilance and surveillance regarding China, which has been aggressively expanding its maritime presence around the Nansei Islands, the Japanese island chain between Kyushu and Taiwan.
The U.S. military is looking to deploy seven or eight MQ-9s from this spring at the earliest, with about 100 U.S. personnel expected to be stationed at the air base to operate and maintain the drones.
The MQ-9 drone flies at an altitude of over 10,000 meters, is remotely operated from the ground and features enhanced surveillance capabilities.
During a Jan. 7 virtual meeting of the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee of the foreign and defense chiefs, the two countries signed a joint statement mentioning the necessity to strengthen the Self-Defense Forces’ posture in the Nansei Islands and jointly use facilities.
The Defense Ministry said it will soon explain the agreement to relevant local governments and hopes to gain their understanding.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Promotes Revised NISA Investment Program to Young People; Kishida Focusing on Moving Money From Savings to Investment in a Safe Environment
-
“High Probability” 2 MSDF Patrol Helicopters Collided near Torishima Island; 1 Dead, 7 Others Onboard Missing (Update 2)
-
Russia to Ban Non-Registered Vessels from Waters Around Northern Territories From April 11 to 17
-
Japan-U.K. Foreign Ministers Confirm Deepening Cooperation in Security Field; Kamikawa Underscores Importance of NATO Ties
-
Japan Ruling Party Struggles in ‘Kingdom of Conservatives’; Liberal Democratic Party Battered By Fundraising Scandal
JN ACCESS RANKING
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’
- JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals