• Gem’s visit to Turkiye is part of a regional tour from August 17–22 that also includes stops in Djibouti and Jordan

ANKARA: Japan’s defense minister will hold talks in Turkiye on Tuesday on defense industry cooperation, including the possible supply of Turkish-made drones, as Tokyo expands the role of unmanned systems in its armed forces, a diplomatic source said.

Gen Nakatani is the first Japanese defense minister to make such an official trip to Turkiye, a NATO member country that is keen to expand its economic and other ties beyond Europe and the Middle East. Turkiye and Japan are both US allies.

Gen and Turkiye’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler are expected to “discuss ways to expand cooperation on defense equipment and technology and exchange views on regional developments,” the diplomatic source in Ankara said.

They also aim to increase contacts between the Turkish Armed Forces and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces at unit level, the source added. Gem is also scheduled to visit Istanbul on Wednesday.

Turkish and Japanese defense ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

During the visit, Nakatani will tour Turkish defense companies and facilities including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), navy shipyards and drone maker Baykar, an industry source said.

Turkiye-backed firms have supplied drones to several countries, including Ukraine, while Japan is preparing to expand the use of unmanned aerial vehicles across its ground, air and naval forces.

Japan is considering Turkish drones among potential options as part of this effort, the diplomatic source said.

Turkiye and Japan have both condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though Ankara has maintained cordial relations with Moscow and has not joined Western economic sanctions against it.

Gem’s visit to Turkiye is part of a regional tour from August 17–22 that also includes stops in Djibouti and Jordan.

REUTERS