US Reconnaissance Drone to Be First Deployed at Japan Self-Defense Forces Base... Strengthening Surveillance of China

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. military is reportedly planning to deploy reconnaissance drones to a Japan Self-Defense Forces base for the first time to enhance surveillance capabilities against China. The drones are expected to operate in areas such as the South China Sea, where the U.S. and China are in conflict, and the Taiwan Strait, which is anticipated to provoke strong opposition from China.

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 26th, the U.S. and Japanese governments are discussing a plan to temporarily deploy U.S. military drones at the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kanoya Air Base located in Kagoshima Prefecture. This strategy is interpreted as an effort to strengthen surveillance capabilities against China in areas including Japan’s Nansei Islands near the Taiwan Strait.

Earlier, on the 7th, during the '2+2' virtual meeting between the foreign and defense ministers of both countries, they agreed to expand joint use of facilities to conduct reconnaissance activities against China’s increasing maritime advances and North Korea’s ballistic missile development. Following this agreement, the two governments are reportedly planning to deploy U.S. military drones at Kanoya Air Base.

If the plan is implemented, it is being considered to station 7 to 8 MQ-9 drones, the U.S. military’s main drone model, at the Self-Defense Forces base, with about 100 U.S. military personnel dispatched to the base to operate and maintain the drones. The Asahi Shimbun reported, "Deployment could begin as early as this spring, with an operational period of about one year anticipated."

This will be the first time U.S. military drones are deployed and operated at a Self-Defense Forces base. The deployment’s purpose is clearly stated as strengthening surveillance capabilities against China, which is expected to trigger strong opposition from the Chinese government.