Japan signs new SeaGuardian UAS deal for coastal monitoring
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian represents a shift in sea monitoring strategy for the Japan Coast Guard. (Photo: GA-ASI)
The Japan Coast Guard has signed contracts for the purchase of two new SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI). Delivery of the aircraft is expected in October 2025.
The SeaGuardian is a medium-altitude, long-endurance system that can fly for 24 hours or more, depending on its configuration. The MQ-9B has been the Japanese Coast Guard’s RPA of choice since it began moving away from Chinese-produced systems in the early 2020s. That shift was started, and accelerated, by increasing Chinese military activity in the waters around Japan.
Prior to the 2020s, the Japan Coast Guard
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