Japan Eyes Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone to Add New Long Range Support for Coastal Defense Missions

Japan is examining Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a candidate for a coastal-defence programme intended to add long-range, uncrewed support to national air and maritime forces. Developed with the Royal Australian Air Force, the autonomous aircraft is designed to collaborate with crewed fighters and carry interchangeable mission payloads for sensing or combat support. Its range and networked operation could extend coverage around remote islands and maritime approaches. Boeing's interest is a proposal within an emerging competition, not a Japanese selection, and no contract, aircraft quantity, domestic-production plan or operational date has been confirmed.