Japan has strengthened its maritime defense posture with the addition of a new unmanned underwater vehicle to the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s growing inventory of autonomous systems. Publicly showcased by the JMSDF, the domestically produced UUV appears designed for submarine deployment, with dimensions comparable to modern heavyweight torpedoes and compatibility with torpedo tube launch systems. Intended for missions such as subsea monitoring, surveillance, and maritime security, the platform underscores Japan’s push to integrate unmanned capabilities into its naval force structure. Development began in 2019 under Ministry of Defense programs, with initial procurement orders placed in 2021.
