Overview
- The memorandum of understanding between Airbus and Kawasaki was signed Friday to study a Japanese anti-submarine warfare variant of the U950 Eurodrone.
- Under the study the firms will assess design options, integration of Japanese sensors and weapons, and industrial workshare so Japan could operate and sustain the system under national control.
- Airbus says the Eurodrone can carry up to 2.3 tonnes of mission payload and stay airborne for about 40 hours, figures that underpin plans to equip the variant with sonobuoy dispensers and lightweight torpedoes.
- Kawasaki’s announcement says the work will explore manned–unmanned teaming with the P‑1 maritime patrol aircraft and stresses the drone is meant to add persistent coverage alongside crewed assets rather than replace them.
- The move comes as the Eurodrone programme faces budget and schedule uncertainty, with France revising acquisition funding and first flight now scheduled for 2029, making potential Japanese exports an important commercial and political support for the project.