Why Japan is looking to Ukraine’s front lines to overhaul its defences

Ukraine is urgently working to counter Russia's new wave of jet-powered drones that have breached the capital's defenses, targeting critical infrastructure. These jet-propelled drones, which can fly at hundreds of kilometers per hour, are proving difficult for Ukrainian air-defense units to intercept. Many of these drones have managed to slip through defenses, targeting energy systems, industries, railways, and telecommunications.

Russia's advantage lies in its ballistic missile arsenal, which is depleting Ukraine's reserves of interceptor missiles. To address the challenge, Ukraine's defense manufacturers are developing faster interceptors with jet propulsion systems and AI-guided chase systems. However, it may take up to six months to produce these interceptors at scale.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are scrambling to train pilots and upgrade existing machines. Kyiv, once a relatively safe city, now resembles a frontline as residents scramble for cover from repeated attacks. The constant barrage has taken its toll, with residents losing lives almost daily. Meanwhile, President Zelensky has urged for swifter production, as the city's infrastructure and economy are being gravely threatened.