V-BAT for the Sakura class: Japan's navy receives first drones from Shield AI

The first delivery of V-BAT drones has arrived at Yokosuka naval base. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced this on 9 December. The JMSDF had already decided in January this year to introduce this type of drone.

The V-BAT was developed by the US defence company Shield AI; its cruciform shape is striking. Because the drones take off and land vertically, an area of just 4.6 x 4.6 metres is enough to operate them. In the JMSDF version, the V-BAT is 2.7 metres long with a 3-metre wingspan and weighs about 57 kilograms with fuel and payload. The drone can fly for a maximum of 12 hours and has a range of up to 180 kilometres. A two-person team makes the system ready for use in about 30 minutes. Japanese naval personnel were trained on the drone at the manufacturer in the USA from June to September 2025.

The drones are intended for the Sakura class, a ship class newly introduced in the JMSDF. These offshore patrol vessels (“OPV”) were specifically designed to conduct reconnaissance in peacetime and to monitor the activities of foreign naval vessels in the waters around Japan. Until now, destroyers performed these tasks. However, because neighbouring countries such as China and Russia have rapidly expanded their maritime activities in recent years, minesweepers and supply ships also had to be assigned to surveillance. This in turn restricts them in their main tasks and impairs the JMSDF's overall operational readiness.

New patrol vessels as a platform for the V-BAT

On 13 November, the first two units of the new class were christened and launched at Japan Marine United's Yokohama shipyard. The first ship, which gives the class its name, is called “Sakura”, the second “Tachibana”. The Sakura is to be commissioned in January 2027, the “Tachibana” in February 2027. Two further Sakura-class ships are to be launched by the end of March 2026.

Funds of 35.7 billion yen (around 196 million euros) were budgeted for these four ships in fiscal year 2023. For the construction of a fifth and sixth ship, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has requested a further 28.7 billion yen (around 157 million euros) in its budget request for fiscal year 2026. After a ten-year procurement period, the fleet is then to comprise a total of twelve patrol vessels.

• Standard displacement: 1,900 tonnes
• Overall length: 95 metres
• Beam: 12 metres
• Draught: 4.2 metres
• Speed: 25 knots (around 46 km/h)

The ships have diesel-electric propulsion: two electric motors and two diesel engines that can be engaged as required drive the two propeller shafts (CODLAD configuration). In addition, a bow thruster below the waterline improves manoeuvrability. This allows the ships to berth in small harbours even without tug assistance. A special stabilisation system is planned to counter rolling in rough seas.

Fewer personnel thanks to automation

A crew of only about 30 people is enough to operate the patrol vessels – a key feature of the class. This is made possible by automated navigation and control systems of the kind already common in merchant shipping. The aim is to counter the growing personnel shortage caused by low birth rates.

Armament, flight deck and hangar

Because the ships are mainly intended for surveillance and control in peacetime, their only weapon is a 30-millimetre gun in front of the bridge. At the stern is a multi-purpose deck from which drones can be operated and helicopters can take off and land. A hangar is used to maintain the drones, but helicopters do not fit inside.

In addition to the drones, the ships will receive equipment for electronic reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. No further details are known at present.