Japan Ground Forces Test Quadrupedal Robots in Airborne Combat Drill.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on January 11 demonstrated quadrupedal ground robots operating with airborne infantry during a major multinational exercise in Chiba Prefecture. The debut signals Japan’s accelerating push to integrate robotics into frontline maneuver units amid growing regional security pressure.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force publicly showcased the operational use of quadrupedal ground robots alongside airborne infantry during a large-scale multinational exercise at the Narashino Training Area on January 11, 2026. The annual airborne drill, held near Tokyo and observed by senior Japanese and allied military leaders, marked the first time robotic ground systems had participated, highlighting a shift in how Japan envisions future infantry operations in contested and technologically dense environments.
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Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force debuted quadrupedal robots in a major airborne exercise near Tokyo, signaling deeper military robotics integration. (Picture source: Japanese MoD)

Manufactured by a US-based firm, Ghost Robotics, the Vision 60 is a four-legged unmanned ground vehicle engineered for operations in unstructured terrain and high-risk conditions. Weighing approximately 112 pounds, the platform is designed around a modular architecture that supports a wide range of customizable payloads, including electro-optical and low-light cameras, LiDAR sensors, communications relays, manipulator arms, and CBRN detection modules. This flexibility allows the same robotic platform to be rapidly adapted for reconnaissance, force protection, logistics support, or disaster response missions across both military and civilian contexts.

The Vision 60 is optimized for harsh operating environments, with a temperature tolerance ranging from minus 45 to plus 55 degrees Celsius and an IP67 rating that enables continued operation in rain, snow, sand, and shallow water. Advanced leg actuation allows the system to outperform wheeled or tracked robots on uneven ground, while robust recovery features enable inverted operation and self righting after slips or falls. Field-replaceable legs further enhance durability and uptime during extended deployments.

At Narashino, the robotic platforms were employed in a simulated airborne assault scenario, deploying with dismounted troops following insertion by CH-47 Chinook helicopters and maneuvering across elevated terrain. One of the robots was observed advancing toward a Japanese main battle tank before assuming a static position near senior officials, including Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and the commander of US Army Japan. The demonstration, conducted in front of approximately 10,000 invited spectators, reflected the Ministry of Defense’s intent to normalize the presence of unmanned systems within conventional maneuver formations.

Operationally, the integration of quadrupedal robots into airborne units points toward a doctrinal shift within the Ground Self-Defense Force toward distributed, sensor-rich formations supported by autonomous or semi-autonomous systems. For airborne infantry operating with limited logistical depth and high exposure to risk, unmanned ground vehicles offer clear advantages in reconnaissance, route security, resupply, and casualty support while reducing direct soldier exposure. Equipped with multi-camera sensor suites and autonomous navigation modes, such platforms can extend situational awareness well beyond the immediate line of sight of infantry patrols.

Japan’s interest in the Vision 60 predates the Narashino exercise. The Ground Self-Defense Force previously employed the platform during disaster relief operations following the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, where damaged infrastructure and debris restricted access for conventional vehicles. In that context, the robots were used for search missions and delivery of relief supplies, validating their dual use potential and reinforcing their relevance across both civil defense and military operations.

Comparable systems have also been evaluated by US forces, particularly within US Air Force security units responsible for base defense. In those roles, quadrupedal robots have been used for perimeter patrols, sensor carriage, and routine security tasks, reducing manpower demands and enhancing persistence. Their appearance during a Japanese-led multinational exercise reflects a growing convergence among allied militaries regarding the role of unmanned ground systems in force protection and reconnaissance missions.

The Narashino event formed part of a broader combined arms demonstration that included C-130J Super Hercules flyovers, armored maneuvers by Japanese ground forces, and UH 1J helicopter operations. Although high winds forced the cancellation of a planned parachute jump, the exercise still highlighted air-ground coordination in a contested operational setting. Participating nations included Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.

Strategically, the inclusion of robotic ground systems in such a high visibility exercise reflects Japan’s response to a deteriorating regional security environment marked by increased emphasis on rapid deployment, island defense, and coalition interoperability. Unmanned ground vehicles such as the Vision 60 provide a relatively accessible entry point into robotics-enabled infantry support, offering enhanced endurance and flexibility without the political sensitivities associated with armed autonomous platforms.

As multinational exercises continue to evolve, the presence of quadrupedal robots operating alongside paratroopers and conventional vehicles is likely to become more routine. For Japan, the Narashino demonstration served not only as a tactical proof of concept but also as a strategic signal of its intent to modernize land forces through selective adoption of mature unmanned technologies while deepening operational integration with US and allied militaries across the Indo-Pacific.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.