Rakuten Partners With German Drone Firm to Supply Japan's Military

Rakuten Group Inc. is partnering with German defense startup Helsing to help supply its military drones to Japan's Defense Ministry, according to a source familiar with the matter cited by Kyodo News.

Germany's Helsing is working with Rakuten to introduce its HX-2 military drone to Japan's defense market. [Photo: Helsing Facebook]

Rakuten will act as Helsing's point of contact in Japan and support the delivery of the German company's HX-2 strike drones to the Japanese defense market. 

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force is conducting demonstrations of the drones through the end of September to determine whether to introduce the technology. The drones could be used in coastal areas for anti-landing operations.

Depending on the results of the testing, Helsing could consider mass-producing the drones in Japan.

The specific number of drones that could eventually be purchased and their precise uses have not yet been determined. 

Helsing, founded in 2021, develops artificial-intelligence systems for military applications. Its HX-2 is designed as a strike drone that can be remotely operated and used against maritime threats.