US-Japan Defense Tech Ties Grow: Mitsubishi Electric, Anduril Collaborate

Mitsubishi Electric Corp announced a ¥16.3 billion ($10 million) investment in U.S. startup Array Labs to co‑develop an air‑moving target indicator (AMTI) system that uses satellite‑borne radar to detect and track aircraft and drones from space. The partnership combines Mitsubishi’s satellite design and manufacturing capabilities with Array Labs’ radar technology, with field demonstrations planned for 2027‑28 and potential applications in security services and future air‑traffic management.

U.S. defense firm Anduril Industries, founded by Palmer Luckey and valued at roughly $61 billion, is expanding its presence in Japan. The company opened a Japanese subsidiary in 2025, partnered with an Akita‑based manufacturer to build prototype drones, and secured a contract with Japan’s Ministry of Defense for demonstrations of its AI‑driven command‑and‑control platform, Lattice. Plans are also under discussion to repurpose a former Nissan plant for production of autonomous defense equipment, underscoring deepening U.S.–Japan cooperation on advanced military technologies.