East Asia – encompassing Japan, South Korea and Taiwan – are important markets for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) in terms of existing and potential orders. It also believes short-take-off-and-landing versions of its unmanned aircraft would be suitable for Japan and South Korea, both of which operate large helicopter carrier ships.
Speaking to Naval News at DSEI Japan, held in Chiba from 21-23 May, GA-ASI officials outlined the importance of the Japanese market as the country expands its fleet of MQ-9B SeaGuardian medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Performing its maiden flight operation in October 2022, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has been leasing an MQ-9B. The aircraft is operating from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Hachinohe Air Base in northern Honshu. GA-ASI is providing a complete leasing service to the JCG, including piloting and maintenance.
In August 2024 it was announced that the JCG was purchasing two MQ-9Bs, one of which will be the leased example. GA-ASI expects more aircraft to be ordered too, as money becomes available.
The JCG is also going to transfer its aircraft to Kitakyushu, a JCG base in the more southerly location of Fukuoka. Furthermore, the JCG will begin assuming more responsibilities for things such as mission planning and maintenance, although GA-ASI staff will continue piloting the aircraft.
As for the JMSDF, it leased a single SeaGuardian that commenced flight operation trials on 9 May 2023. It was operating primarily from Hachinohe too. Importantly, the JMSDF is now buying 23 SeaGuardians, with all the aircraft to be delivered by FY2032.
The previous lease has expired, and with the first new aircraft to be only delivered in 2028, GA-ASI and the Japanese MoD are discussing the possibility of filling the capability gap with an interim lease. The only difference between JCG and JMSDF examples is that the latter has an anti-submarine warfare capability. Although Japanese SeaGuardians cannot drop sonobuoys, they can process sonobuoy data.
GA-ASI said its UAVs are ideal for Japan, as the military struggles with manpower and recruitment issues. Japan has the world’s sixth largest EEZ, and the SeaGuardians are being used for search and rescue, disaster response, maritime domain awareness and fisheries monitoring.
At DSEI Japan 2025, GA-ASI displayed a computer-generated image of an Izumo-class helicopter carrier with embarked MQ-9B STOL UAVs. These are short take-off and landing versions of the MQ-9B with stubbier wings and modified tails. The company expects the JMSDF’s large flat-deck ships could operate the STOL version alongside helicopters and F-35Bs.
Although an MQ-9B has not been physically built yet, the STOL is designed as a kit with new wings and tails. This means conventional versions of the MQ-9B can quickly transform into STOL types. A company spokesperson said the STOL variant is attracting a lot of attention from customers.
As mentioned, South Korea is a potential customer for the company’s STOL UAVs too. However, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) is currently more interested in the MQ-1C Gray Eagle STOL (also known as the Mojave), as illustrated by the demonstration of one taking off from ROKS Dokdo on 12 November 2024.
This demonstration was done in conjunction with Hanwha Aerospace, with the Gray Eagle later landing in Pohang. GA-ASI said at the time, “The test with the South Korean military further validates the aircraft’s capability and versatility.”
Linden Blue, GA-ASI’s CEO, commented, “We applaud the South Korean navy for its foresight in examining the unique capability of GE STOL for its fleet. This demonstration illustrates the ability of the GE STOL to safely operate on many types of aircraft-capable ships, which opens myriad new ways our allies can use this UAS to support multi-domain naval operations.”
The applicability of the Gray Eagle STOL became even more sharply focused after the ROKN recently declared it had abandoned plans for an F-35B-equipped CVX light aircraft carrier. Instead, the navy wants a multipurpose manned and unmanned force command ship. This proposed new vessel will be replete with UAVs, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries responsible for its concept design.
On 8 April 2025, GA-ASI signed a letter of intent with Hanwha covering joint investment and pursuit of new UAV business opportunities. In fact, Hanwha plans to invest more than US$203.5 million in development and production facilities for the Gray Eagle STOL and UAV engines.
In addition to ROKN interest, GA-ASI believes the country’s army is a potential Gray Eagle STOL customer too.
Taiwan is another East Asian market for the MQ-9B, with Taiwan ordering four examples. A first contract for two SkyGuardians was awarded on 1 May 2023, and a second brace was ordered on 11 March 2024. These should be delivered in 2026-27.
Elsewhere in the region, after a protracted eight years of negotiations, India ordered 15 MQ-9B SeaGuardians and 16 SkyGuardians in mid-October 2024 for US$3.8 billion. These will be used by India’s three armed services. This deal makes India the largest MQ-9B user in the world.
Finally, with New Zealand recently issuing its Defence Capability Plan, which highlighted unmanned systems for maritime domain awareness, GA-ASI is keen to discuss possibilities with New Zealand.
