Japan has signed a ¥500 million grant agreement with Sri Lanka to supply unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Navy, marking Tokyo’s first-ever defense aid to Colombo and highlighting growing security tensions in the Indian Ocean.
On September 29, 2025, the two countries formalized this new phase in their bilateral ties with the signing of the grant in Tokyo. Under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework, the initiative goes beyond traditional economic aid by delivering defense equipment for the first time. The agreement centers on supplying approximately 10 Japanese-made drones to the Sri Lanka Navy.
These UAVs are tailored for naval surveillance, maritime monitoring, and disaster relief operations. While the exact models are undisclosed, reports indicate roughly 10 systems of potentially two types, customized to the operational needs of Sri Lanka’s Navy. The drones are expected to enhance maritime situational awareness, counter illegal activities such as smuggling or unauthorized fishing, and support humanitarian missions during natural disasters.
The OSA program, launched in 2023, allows Japan to provide direct security assistance to armed forces, distinguishing it from conventional Official Development Assistance (ODA). For Sri Lanka, facing recent economic and political challenges, the deal signals Tokyo’s commitment to strengthening maritime security. For Japan, it represents the practical application of its expanding security role in the Indo-Pacific through defense diplomacy.
Even without specific technical details, Japanese UAVs offer dual-use versatility. Compared to alternatives like Chinese Wing Loong or U.S. ScanEagle drones, they are expected to adhere to Japan’s reliability and export control standards, with potential access to advanced sensor suites. Their combined surveillance and disaster-response capabilities make them especially valuable for Sri Lanka, where naval forces address both security and humanitarian needs.
Strategically, this first defense grant signals Japan’s recalibrated geopolitical outreach. Positioned along key sea lanes connecting the Middle East and East Asia, Sri Lanka is central to regional competition involving China, India, and the United States. By equipping Colombo with UAVs, Japan strengthens a like-minded partner’s surveillance capability and asserts its active role in safeguarding the Indo-Pacific commons, while countering China’s growing influence.
The ¥500 million grant (approx. $3.36 million) is fully funded under Japan’s 2025 OSA budget. For Sri Lanka, the acquisition represents a significant step toward modernizing maritime surveillance and boosting deterrence. For Tokyo, it signals a commitment to a stable, free, and open Indo-Pacific through proactive security partnerships.
