Terra Drone’s interceptor drone has been selected for demonstration testing under the Interceptor Drone Rapid Acquisition Programme conducted by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA).
ATLA received proposals from 38 companies and selected Terra Drone’s interceptor drone as one of the test articles. Launched in June, the programme is designed to move from initial acquisition to demonstration testing within approximately three months. If a system is determined to be suitable for operational use, ATLA aims to proceed rapidly with volume procurement and delivery. During this phase, the system’s flight performance, autonomous capabilities, shipboard operability and communications and control capabilities will be evaluated with potential Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force operations in mind.
Terra Drone says that the threat posed by uncrewed aircraft is increasing rapidly in the security environment surrounding Japan. “China has intensified UAV activities near Japan, and in fiscal year 2024, the WL-10 and GJ-2 reconnaissance and attack UAVs were observed near Japan for the first time in connection with Japan’s airspace surveillance activities.”
To help counter such threats, Terra Drone will combine the operational foundation of its group companies, which have accumulated experience under combat conditions in Ukraine, with its capabilities as a Japanese company in domestic supply and regulatory compliance.
Terra Drone is preparing its test device and operational framework for the demonstration scheduled for later this month (July 2026). At the same time, the company said it will bolster its production and support capabilities including maintenance, logistics and training to enable a rapid transition to volume procurement and delivery following the demonstration.
For more information
Image: Hayashi Kanna / Unsplash
The 2026 Unmanned Airspace Global Counter-UAS Systems Directory is now available. The guide is the world’s only comprehensive, continually updated directory of global C-UAS companies and systems. It itemises over 1,000 C-UAS products and services with performance details, company sales and partnerships arrangements. It is updated every month and broken down into niche sub-sectors (net-capture, missiles, intercept drones, detectors etc) to give C-UAS procurement and industry personnel a unique perspective of global C-UAS technical capabilities and market positions. It is available in word, PDF and excel formats and Unmanned Airspace readers are eligible for a range of discounts. For more information about the Directory please contact the editor Philip Butterworth-Hayes at philip@unmannedairspace.info.