Rakuten Group Inc. is working with German defense AI startup Helsing to bring Helsing’s military drones to Japan, with tests involving the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Bloomberg reports that Rakuten plans to introduce the German company’s drones in Japan through the collaboration.
Japan Times says the Ground Self-Defense Force conducts field testing of the Helsing drones through the end of September, citing a Rakuten spokesperson. The outlets both frame the effort as an effort to evaluate military drone technology in Japan, though details on the scope of the tests and specific capabilities are not provided in the available reporting. Overall, the coverage aligns on the partners involved—Rakuten and Helsing—and on Japan’s role in running the field trials.
While Bloomberg focuses on the partnership and the goal of bringing the drones to Japan, Japan Times highlights the timing and that the testing is carried out by the Ground Self-Defense Force through late September. Neither source, in the provided excerpts, describes outcomes or broader deployment plans.
