Japan’s Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency signed a mass-production contract for Terra B1, a 3D-printed interceptor drone, after a recent demonstration with the Maritime Self-Defense Forces. The move aims to field a large unmanned fleet by 2027, replacing slower traditional procurement timelines.
Terra B1, developed by Terra Drone, mirrors the earlier Terra A1 used in Ukraine but accelerates production through additive manufacturing. The defense ministry’s three-month tender process was the fastest on record, cutting typical bid cycles by up to two years. 3D printing will streamline design, lower costs, and let the company adapt interceptors quickly to emerging threats without delaying deployment.
Production will span multiple sites, including local printing farms, to mitigate risks from attacks like those seen with Shahed drones. Terra Drone’s CEO Toru Tokushige called the shift a transformation of Japan’s defense manufacturing, emphasizing speed, flexibility, and resilience in a sector struggling to meet global demand.
