Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani arrived in Ankara for official talks with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, as the two countries explore closer cooperation in defense and security.
Güler welcomed Nakatani with a military ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense, where the two ministers posed for photographs before holding a closed-door meeting. According to diplomatic sources cited by Reuters, discussions are expected to include the potential procurement of Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and broader defense industry cooperation.
The agenda reportedly covers joint work on defense equipment and technology, as well as assessments of regional developments. Increasing contacts between the Turkish Armed Forces and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces at the unit level is also among the items under consideration.
As part of the visit, Nakatani is scheduled to tour leading Turkish defense companies, including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), Baykar, both known for their UAV production. He is also expected to visit naval shipyards including ASFAT and other defense facilities.
Japan has shown growing interest in Turkish UAVs in recent years. In March 2022, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar told Japanese media that the upcoming Bayraktar TB3, designed with foldable wings, would be compatible with Japan’s Izumo-class vessels, enabling the deployment of a larger number of drones aboard aircraft carriers. Bayraktar described the platform as a suitable option for Japan’s future naval aviation needs.
The visit underlines ongoing efforts by both countries to expand cooperation in defense and security, with drone procurement emerging as a central topic of interest.