For military training, Japan's Defense Ministry ordered 300-unit FPV drone batch from local Terra Drone company. Total order value announced by company is 115.43 million yen, or approximately $727,300 USD.
Despite company not announcing specific drone type, as Janes writes, this involves Terra Entry. Company-announced FPV drone characteristics: 290mm frame, 7-inch propellers, 0.5 kg own weight, up to 2 kg payload weight, 6,000 mAh battery capacity.
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Also on company website indicated is complete kit price with Terra Entry drone, Futaba 10J controller, Skyzone Cobra X V2 goggles, batteries and charger 320,000 yen, about $2,000, excluding related services and taxes.
Their inclusion together with different batch configuration quite corresponds to total 300-unit contract price.
Defense Express notes this is first public FPV drone contract for Japan's Self-Defense Forces. That Terra Drone will supply these drones is telling, as this company, once Tokyo eased export restrictions, announced investments in two Ukrainian drone companies Amazing Drones in March and WinnyLab in April this year.
However, partnership with both companies, as reported, is connected with anti-aircraft drones, which Terra Drone positions under names Terra A1 in traditional X-shaped form factor and Terra A2 aircraft type.
At the same time, not excluded joint projects covered not only anti-aircraft drones, or Terra Drone could cooperate with other Ukrainian companies. Because ultimately its Terra Entry FPV drone has exceptional advantage cost.
Specifically announced drone price without camera but with controller, two batteries and charger 189,500 yen, about $1,200, of which controller cost is about $500. In other words, overall Japanese FPV drone cost is comparable with Ukrainian solutions.
Recall Israel also decided toinvest in FPV drone production building new factory to be owned by defense ministry.
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