Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has drafted proposals urging the early deployment of interceptor drones and directed-energy weapons, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
The proposals are built on lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, where drones and directed-energy weapons have demonstrated combat effectiveness. These systems are seen as potential solutions to bolster Japan's defense capabilities amid a increasingly complex regional security environment.
According to sources, the draft focuses on developing and deploying advanced weapons systems, including interceptor drones capable of engaging aerial targets and directed-energy weapons such as lasers to counter threats from enemy missiles and drones.
The proposal is part of the LDP's efforts to modernize Japan's Self-Defense Forces and reflects a global trend toward adopting new technologies on the battlefield. If approved, Japan will ramp up investment in high-tech defense sectors in the coming years.