Boeing Offers MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Japan in Coastal Defense Bid

Boeing is set to offer its Australian-developed MQ-28 Ghost Bat unmanned aircraft to Japan as part of Tokyo's plans for a new coastal defense network based on unmanned systems.

The news comes as Japan prepares to introduce a new mix of unmanned aerial, surface and underwater systems under the SHIELD program, which has allocated ¥100 billion (US$677 million) in its fiscal 2026 budget.

According to Nikkei, Boeing is discussing the aircraft with the Japanese Ministry of Defense, and the MQ-28 would provide the airborne component of Japan's new network.