Show Attracts Record number of Exhibitors from the U.S., Canada

Our Bureau - : May 23, 2025 - : 3:52 am

With Japan actively modernizing its military and committed to doubling its defence spending, there is an extra incentive for international companies to showcase their latest products and technologies at the ongoing show.

The event has generated an enthusiastic response from North American defence companies, with as many as 45 companies in the USA and Canada Partnership Pavilions alone. The pavilions are organized by Kallman Worldwide. The 42 U.S. exhibitors represent 21 states and the District of Columbia, and includes key defence hubs such as California, Texas, and Virginia. Ther are three Canadian exhibitors in the pavilion, with representation from British Columbia and Ontario.

According to Kallman Worldwide, 14 companies that are part of the pavilion are new to the Japanese market, while 23 are exhibiting at the event for the first time. The pavilion has over 1,100 square meters of dedicated exhibitor space. The pavilions were officially opened on Wednesday in the presence of George Glass, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Takeshi Ishikawa, Commissioner of Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), as well as senior members from Clarion, Boeing, Lockheed, and Leonardo DRS.

“We are excited to bring the USA and Canada Partnership Pavilions to DSEI Japan for the first time,” said Tom Kallman, President and CEO of Kallman Worldwide. “Along with the 45 companies exhibiting within our Pavilions, we remain committed to partnership and the success of global industry.”

The event is taking place at a time when Japan is looking to add to its offensive capabilities by investing in new weapons. Among the priorities for the country’s military are stand-off weapons to keep China and other adversaries in the region at bay. As much as 939 billion yen have been allocated to acquire ground- and sea-launched Type 12 anti-ship missiles, hyper-velocity gliding projectiles for island defence, and development of submarine-launched missiles. Japan also wants to acquire Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile to deploy them on Japan’s F-35A fighters, and Tomahawk cruise missiles to arm destroyers. The country also acquiring two MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, manufactured by GA-ASI, and six V-BAT drones, manufactured by Sheild AI. They will be used on Japanese warships. According to Sheild AI, V-BAT delivers combat-proven, expeditionary, strategic and tactical-level ISR and targeting at a fraction of both the cost and logistical footprint of larger Group 4 and 5 drones with similar capabilities. Designed, tested, and deployed for the electronic warfare battlefield, the company has demonstrated real-world mission impact in GNSS-denied and comms-contested environments.

In January this year, the U.S. State Department approved a US$39 million sale of 16 JASSM-ERs; this follows a 2023 approval of 50 such missiles.

Japan / Dsei /