Japan’s government signs contract to purchase interceptor drones from Ukrainian company SkyFall
Drone Industry
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has signed a contract to purchase interceptor drones manufactured by Ukrainian defense technology company SkyFall.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced this.
"Japan’s Ministry of Defense has already signed a contract to purchase interceptor drones from Ukrainian company SkyFall. We are currently working to ensure their delivery as quickly as possible," he said.
SkyFall manufactures P1-SUN interceptors in various configurations, including one with an AI module and a higher-speed version designed to destroy jet-powered targets. Recently released footage shows P1-SUN JetKiller interceptors engaging Russian high-speed Geran-5 drones.
Separately, during the press conference, Koizumi highlighted Ukraine’s experience in developing and rapidly improving defense technologies. In particular, he drew attention to the "rapid feedback cycle" that enables drones with new capabilities to emerge every two to three weeks.
According to Koizumi, Japan has much to learn from Ukraine in both developing its defense industry and strengthening its industrial base. He emphasized that Japan needs deterrence and response capabilities and that specific measures to strengthen them would be explored further.
Earlier, in early October, SkyFall unveiled Thor Hammer, a middle-strike attack drone with a range of up to 600 km. Thor Hammer is already being used on the front line, carries a 40–50 kg warhead and reaches speeds of up to 180 km/h. Depending on its configuration, it costs $25,000–30,000, making it a cost-effective solution in the middle-strike segment.
