MOU Signed with Airbus D&S on Collaboration in Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Systems

Tokyo, 26 June, 2026 – Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced that it entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus D&S) with the aim of exploring potential areas of collaboration in the field of long-endurance unmanned aerial systems .

Under this MOU, the parties intend to examine the potential application of the medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial system “Eurodrone,” currently under development in Europe, particularly in relation to anti-submarine warfare (ASW), as well as to consider possible operational concepts, including, where appropriate, coordination with the P-1 maritime patrol aircraft for which Kawasaki serves as the prime contractor.

The importance of long-endurance unmanned aerial systems has been increasing in recent years, in line with changes in the security environment. Kawasaki has been studying future system concepts from a broad perspective, drawing on its experience and expertise as a system integrator in the maritime patrol aircraft domain. As part of these ongoing efforts, Kawasaki intends to explore, under this MOU, potential avenues for contributing to the maritime patrol domain in cooperation with Airbus D&S.

Kawasaki will continue to pursue initiatives that may contribute to Japan’s security and to the strengthening of its defense technology and industrial base, while leveraging its technological capabilities.