Robotic Skies

Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and the Strategic Defense of Japan

This paper argues that intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) is important for Japan's strategic defense in particular and for regional security in general. The introduction examines the role of ISR capabilities. The second section analyzes Japan's shifting strategic environment and growing need for improved ISR capabilities and integration, including ground-based analysis and use of the information that is retrieved. The third section examines the evolution of ISR technologies, with a focus on recent advances in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Finally, the paper assesses how Japan might utilize enhanced ISR through its alliance with the US, by bolstering its national capacity, and by cooperating with other key countries in the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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