Drone wars put Japan's Kawasaki Motors, Subaru in spotlight

Mass production becomes buzzword as drones change battlefields

20250605 Subaru Drone

A model of Subaru's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is displayed at DSEI Japan on May 22. (Photo by Mitsuru Obe)

MITSURU OBE

CHIBA, Japan -- In the DSEI Japan defense equipment show last month, motorcycle maker Kawasaki Motors and carmaker Subaru occupied prominent positions near the entrance, showcasing their key exhibits: drones.

Kawasaki is developing twin- and single-engine drones that can fly up to 2,700 kilometers at speeds of up to 600 kilometers per hour with a maximum payload of 500 kilograms.

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