Cardboard weapons. Like many countries since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Japan is moving towards a revolution in its defense by placing drones and unmanned systems at the heart of its new strategy. The small difference is that Tokyo has decided to turn to Air Kamui, a bold company specializing in the manufacture of military drones… made of cardboard.
This choice to turn to Air Kamui is part of Tokyo’s deliberate policy to support innovative startups, seeking to inject new technological approaches more quickly into the development of its defense capabilities.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has clearly indicated that “strengthening ties with defense-focused startups is essential” to achieve the set goals. He aims for the country to become “the Self-Defense Force that makes the most use of drones and other unmanned assets in the world.” This goal marks a significant turning point for this traditionally cautious nation in terms of autonomous systems, as noted by the specialized site Defence Blog.
Designed drones to be shot down during training
Lightweight, biodegradable, cost-effective, large-scale production speed… far from being just a gadget to differentiate from other drones, cardboard offers many advantages, especially for target drones designed to be shot down during training. Instead of investing in expensive composite cells for drones destined for destruction, cardboard offers an economical and effective alternative, allowing for more frequent training without the constraints of recovery and refurbishment.
Beyond the acquisition of drones, Japan aims to be a global leader in the operational integration of unmanned systems into its various military branches. In addition to mass production, this includes developing doctrines, training teams, establishing logistics and maintenance, and gaining operational experience through intensive use of unmanned systems in real conditions.
This evolution is part of a broader context of strengthening Japanese defense. Tokyo has committed to doubling its military spending as a percentage of GDP. Unmanned systems are a priority investment, drawing lessons from recent conflicts that have demonstrated the transformative role of drones.
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