The Japanese government has embarked on a plan to acquire the Global Hawk--a high-altitude, long-distance unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft--from the United States to enhance the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' (JSDF) ability to collect information.
The planned introduction of the cutting-edge drone would bolster Japan's intelligence capabilities, enabling it to more effectively cope with the increased pressure by China over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, according to government and Liberal Democratic Party sources.
The Global Hawk would also enhance the JSDF's ability to gather information on North Korea, which has pushed ahead with programs to develop ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, the sources said.
Read the full story at Air Recognition