Airbus and Kawasaki eye Japan-focused ASW variant of Eurodrone

Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kawasaki Heavy Industries to study a Japanese anti-submarine warfare variant of the Eurodrone, leveraging Japan’s observer status in the program. The collaboration would explore configurations and the integration of Japanese sensors and effectors, plus potential production and sustainment work shares, enabling sovereign operation if pursued. The Eurodrone, developed by Germany, France, Italy and Spain with India as an observer and OCCAR oversight, targets a 2029 first flight and a broad maritime mission profile including ASW.