On October 25, 2023, a joint statement by US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that the United States and Australia are set to partner with Japan in the creation of advanced military drones.
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This collaboration aims to boost interoperability and expedite technology sharing in the fast-evolving domain of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The alliance is primarily focused on the Indo-Pacific region, with both countries expressing their dedication to preserving peace, stability, and wealth in the area in response to China's growing military boldness.
This announcement is a continuation of the US and Japan's prior cooperation on autonomous systems in December 2022 and aligns with Australia's Loyal Wingman initiative, which seeks to create autonomous drones such as the MQ-28A Ghost Bat to aid combat aircraft. Zach Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, underscored the importance of collaboration among allies.
He stated to Nikkei Asia that due to China's vast capabilities, the most effective competition strategy is to work together as allies to enhance not only American but also allied capacity.
