NEC Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) toward a strategic partnership in the defence sector. Through this partnership, the two companies will strengthen their collaboration in areas such as operation plans, command and control, and unmanned assets, with the aim of reinforcing Japan’s industrial base for defence and establishing data and AI sovereignty.
In recent years, the security environment around the world has undergone significant changes, and Japan’s Ministry of Defence and Self-Defence Forces are moving to strengthen and transform the country’s defence capabilities. With this backdrop, companies at the core of the defence industry are supporting national security by accelerating the improvement cycle for defence equipment, and ensuring the sovereignty and reliability of data and AI in order to adapt to “new ways of warfare” utilising unmanned assets and AI.
As the integration of defence equipment and cloud operations progresses and the utilisation of AI technology advances, NEC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will leverage their respective strengths to contribute to the strengthening and transformation of defence capabilities by providing high-value-added and highly reliable products and services for the development of new command and control systems.
NEC Corporation President and CEO Takayuki Morita said: “This partnership marks an important step toward realising a truly sovereign and highly reliable defence system that brings together Japan’s technologies and expertise. Going forward, we will contribute to the strengthening and transformation of Japan’s defence by ensuring the performance of critical capabilities with cutting-edge technologies and leveraging domain knowledge.”
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries President and CEO Eisaku Ito commented: “We are confident that this partnership will be a crucial foundation for a truly sovereign and highly reliable defence system that integrates both companies’ advanced technologies and expertise and maximises our technological advantages. Together, we will support safety and security, contribute to the further strengthening of defence capabilities and the sustainable development of security infrastructure.”
