U.S. defense firm Anduril Industries is in discussions to acquire Nissan Motor's Oppama assembly plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, with the intention of building military drones in the country, according to three sources familiar with the matter [1]. No final decision has been made regarding the acquisition, and Nissan is reportedly in talks with other potential buyers as well [1]. The Oppama plant, which opened in 1961 and has produced about 18 million vehicles, is scheduled to close in 2028 as part of Nissan's plan to reduce production capacity by 1 million vehicles and reassign its 2,400 workers elsewhere in Japan [1].
The potential deal comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government seeks to expand defense manufacturing in response to concerns over a possible Taiwan Strait crisis and the risk of depleted weapons stocks [1]. The Japanese government is expected to unveil a new national security strategy this year that could accelerate spending on drones, munitions, and other military equipment, while outlining steps to expand arms production [1].
Any agreement between Anduril and Nissan could face scrutiny from critics concerned about Japan's shift away from postwar pacifism and the implications of foreign control over domestic arms production, as U.S. defense equipment produced in Japan is typically built under license by domestic companies [1]. Anduril has not commented directly on the talks, stating only that it is working with Japan and exploring opportunities to strengthen local production [1].
The sources noted that Anduril would still need to secure orders from Japan's military to justify any purchase of the Oppama site, and it is unclear if a price has been submitted for the plant [1]. The emerging drone market in Japan is also attracting interest from other international players, including Ukrainian companies offering drones that have been used in the conflict with Russia [1].
CONCLUSION
Anduril's potential acquisition of Nissan's Oppama plant signals growing international interest in Japan's defense manufacturing sector, particularly in drone production. While no deal has been finalized and several hurdles remain, the talks reflect Japan's strategic shift toward bolstering its military capabilities amid regional security concerns.