Airbus and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the concept of a Eurodrone development focused on the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime patrol role.
The two companies will now begin work on deciding the necessary modifications to the existing U950 Eurodrone design, including considerations of required sensor and payload packages for long range ASW and other maritime missions. Conceptually tailored for Japan’s defence needs, Japan itself has yet to place a firm order for such an aircraft but has held an official partner status on the wider Eurodrone program since November 2023.
At #ILA24, we’re showcasing a 1:1 mock up of our #Eurodrone. It will ensure operational superiority to the partner nations, especially in the context of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. It will be a key pillar within the Future… pic.twitter.com/CNQIm5C8dV
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) June 6, 2024
Eurodrone is a twin-engine medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to fulfil a similar role to the U.S. made MQ-9 Reaper. Compared to the Reaper, the Eurodrone is 5-6 metres larger in both length and wingspan, and features a maximum takeoff weight over twice that of the MQ-9. Eurodrone’s first flight is presently scheduled for 2029.
Germany is currently the lead customer with 21 aircraft on order, followed by Italy with 15 orders, then France and Spain with 12 each. The four nations are collaborating on the aircraft’s development through lead contractor Airbus and manufacturers Leonardo and Dassault. France, despite criticism of the program and a change in funding plans, has confirmed that it still intends to proceed with its procurement of the type.
France remains committed to Eurodrone but could delay acquisition, @AirbusDefence official says. “We had and still have four nations on this programme,” Jean-Brice Dumont said at ILA Berlin air show. https://t.co/mWWiDslSyz pic.twitter.com/498xowd1n1
— Craig Hoyle (@FlightAcesHigh) June 17, 2026
With a planned endurance of up to 40 hours, the Eurodrone would be ideally suited to long missions over water providing persistent ASW and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage, augmenting crewed platforms.
Japan, with its direct access to vast swathes of the Pacific Ocean and proximity to China’s ever-expanding submarine force, is a key focus of this development. The country already operates dozens of Kawasaki P-1 and Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, and is now beginning to commence use of RQ-4B Global Hawks for long range ISR.
While the Global Hawk is more than capable of providing elements of a maritime patrol capability, it lacks any form of ASW capability or the ability to carry weapons. Meanwhile, the envisioned maritime variant of the Eurodrone is planned to be able to utilise sonobuoys and torpedoes, much like recent developments of the MQ-9.
Notably, Kawasaki’s press release mentions that the MoU will also include exploration of how the Eurodrone could be partnered operationally with the P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, hinting at manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.
Maritime Missions
Eurodrone’s twin engine configuration, a requirement stipulated by Germany for safety over urban areas, has been maligned for adding weight and complexity to the aircraft. However, for this use case, the added reliability over platforms like the MQ-9 could prove to be a huge benefit.
Airbus & Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a MoU on notional development of a Japanese adaption for the Eurodrone. The idea focuses on fielding an ASW platform somewhat like MQ-9B. Eurodrone may appeal due to its twin engine, high payload design. https://t.co/tQa9gxyB1A
— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) June 26, 2026
Although drones are considered more expendable than crewed aircraft, the cost of their loss – particularly when equipped with additional ISR equipment and/or weapon loads – can still deal a blow to a force’s overall capability. This is especially true when the lost aircraft are not able to be replaced in a timely fashion, as the U.S. Air Force discovered following the loss of around 20% of the entire fleet during Operation Epic Fury. The MQ-9 has been described as the ‘most valuable player’ in the U.S. war effort, despite often being written off as too vulnerable for modern high-intensity conflicts.
U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones have been the “most valuable player” in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said today. The U.S. has conducted “many, many strikes” with the Reaper against Iran, Wilsbach said. “No other platform is even close to…
— Chris Gordon (@ByChrisGordon) May 21, 2026
The complexities of ASW mean that crewed aircraft are almost certain to be a primary component for many years to come, but having access to uncrewed aircraft to assist with ASW taskings would lessen the workload of each ASW aircraft and allow a greater area to be screened for submarine threats. A similar evolution is happening on and under the water, with expensive submarines and ASW frigates now envisioned to simply be the tip of a wider spear that encompasses a variety of automated and remotely controlled capabilities.
