Anna Forrester
BAE Systems has partnered with Japan’s Daicel Corp. to offer cockpit airbags for U.S. Army helicopters in a push to establish military and industrial ties with Tokyo, Reuters reported Monday.
Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo write that the partnership with the British defense contractor also works to build on Japan’s military exports following the repeal of a long-standing ban in 2014.
The report said BAE and Daicel plan to eventually offer the airbag technology to the Japanese military and the commercial sector.
BAE spokesperson Megan Mitchell told Reuters the company seeks to develop technologies with industrial partners in Japan for domestic and international market opportunities.
Defense World reported last year BAE has eyed a potential partnership with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries on a bid for an Australian submarine program.
The Japanese government also worked on a financial program in 2014 to support international industry cooperation and arms exports.
