The Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) has announced on 12 August its plan to set up a new defence technology research institute modelled after US agencies such as the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
According to local media, the new entity – which will be placed under the JMOD’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) – is provisionally called the Defense Innovation Technology Institute and is expected to be launched in October and with around 100 personnel. The government has also set aside a budget of over US$140 million to support its establishment.
The institute will use agile and innovative means to develop defence technologies that will address future challenges and will leverage expertise from the academic and private sectors to augment its operations. Local media reported that half of its staff will be recruited from various companies and universities and will include experts in areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics.
Besides defence technology research, it will also serve as a think-tank to monitor international research and support studies of dual-use technologies for defence and commercial applications.
Japan earlier indicated its intention to form a new defence technology research institute in the National Defense Strategy released in December 2022, which noted that the new institute will be designed to develop “multi-use cutting-edge technologies that contribute to defense equipment development, and to produce equipment that leads to defense innovation”. It will also focus on accelerated research initiatives that will enable rapid fielding equipment within three years by exploiting existing technologies.
Several research areas are being considered, including enhanced autonomy for uncrewed vehicles in lowlight conditions as well as novel underwater detection technologies.
by Jr Ng
