Northrop and Mitsubishi partner to enhance Japan’s air and missile defence network
Northrop Grumman and Mitsubishi Electric will combine their respective technologies to develop a networking solution integrating Japan’s air and missile defence capabilities. (Photo: Norhtrop Gramann)
The partnership between Northrop Grumann and Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric will set out to integrate advanced solutions facilitating seamless sharing of target information among the Japanese Army.
Northrop Grumman and Mitsubishi Electric have opted to cooperate on networking Japan’s ground-based air defence systems.
The joint team will explore the integration of proprietary solutions to streamline the sharing of target information across the country’s ground-based systems.
The cooperation will aim to allow the air defence systems used by the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF) to share target information. JDSDF uses a mixture of homegrown systems such as Type 11, Type 03 Chu-SAM and US-made systems including MIM-104 Patriot. By extension, the joint project could potentially lead to improvements in interoperability with systems deployed by the US such as THAAD.
The resurfacing missile threat from North Korea and Japan’s decision to increase activity in the defence sector were likely stimuli for a refinement in Japan’s ground-based air defence capabilities.
Among potential platforms to be delivered will be the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), which has simultaneously been developed and fielded for the US Army, and combines control over legacy and advanced tactical assets.
In 2017, Japan approved the instalment of AEGIS Ashore to acquire ground-based ballistic missile defence capability. AEGIS Ashore is the ground-based version of the AEGIS combat system used on US Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force destroyers.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers]()
Rapid APKWS integration sparks “strong” demand from Typhoon customers
The recent operational use and success of the APKWS laser-guidance kit on the UK RAF's Typhoons has driven demand from other Eurofighter customers for integration of the system on their own combat aircraft fleet, according to BAE Systems.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Wartime iteration gives Ukraine an edge as future UAV exporter]()
Eurosatory 2026: Wartime iteration gives Ukraine an edge as future UAV exporter
As industrial-scale drone production proves its battlefield worth in Ukraine, what happens to that production capacity and knowhow once the guns fall silent – and is Ukraine about to become one of the world’s most credible UAV export partners?
-
![Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success]()
Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success
The one-way-effector uncrewed aerial vehicle has also been tested by the British Army, following on from its contract award notice in February 2026.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
