Japan's record FY2027 defense request accelerates surveillance, undersea and stand-off capabilities

Japan's Defense Ministry requested a record 8.9 trillion yen, with a possible final budget above 10 trillion yen. Proposed priorities include MQ-9B drones, submarines, ASEVs, F-35B-capable Izumo vessels, stand-off and hypersonic missiles, attack drones, AI command systems and secure cloud infrastructure. New reporting confirms the buildup's direction, while funding approval and implementation remain uncertain.