Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force has confirmed the use of two Ghost Robotics quadruped unmanned ground vehicles during a 1st Airborne Brigade helicopter assault exercise, marking a new step in integrating robotic systems into Japan’s rapid-response and airborne operations.
Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force introduced robotic quadruped drones during a January 2026 airborne assault exercise by the 1st Airborne Brigade, marking the first time unmanned ground vehicles were used in its annual New Year training.
Video footage from the drill showed two CH-47J helicopters delivering assault troops while two Ghost Robotics robotic dogs moved alongside the landing force to support operations on the ground.
According to the GSDF, the robots were deployed for unmanned ground reconnaissance. The machines were seen advancing ahead of the soldiers, scanning the area and helping detect potential threats as troops moved forward.
These robotic systems, known in Japan as Robodog-kun, are being used for missions such as airfield security, assault support, and helicopter-borne insertions, where fast and safe reconnaissance is critical in dangerous environments.
The Ghost Robotics platforms are lightweight unmanned vehicles designed to cross rough terrain while carrying sensors and sending live surveillance data. Japan is testing these systems across multiple units as part of a wider effort to modernize its forces and improve rapid-response and island-defense capabilities.
Japan’s 1st Airborne Brigade, the country’s main airborne assault unit, conducts this public exercise every January to demonstrate its ability to carry out helicopter insertions, ground maneuvers, and integrated support missions. This year’s drill highlighted how unmanned systems are becoming part of frontline combat operations.
The use of robotic dogs during the airborne landing shows Japan’s focus on improving battlefield awareness in high-risk zones, especially in remote island areas where early detection of threats can be decisive.
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