With the rapid development and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, various countries’ military forces have started to introduce or utilize AI systems. The Japanese government is currently considering deploying multiple American-manufactured AI systems within its self-defense force’s command and control infrastructure, aiming to accelerate decision-making processes and enhance collaborative operations with the US military.
According to a report by the “Nikkei Asian Review” on August 4th, these American AI systems are expected to become a core component of Japan’s defense capabilities transformation over the next five years to adapt to new forms of warfare. Specific details are set to be finalized before three crucial security documents slated for revision by the end of the year are enacted.
The candidate solutions provided by American AI developers include Palantir Technologies’ Maven Intelligent System (MSS) and Anduril Industries’ Lattice AI platform.
The MSS is currently utilized by the US military to analyze battlefield data and assess targets, with the AI system autonomously selecting targets and optimal tactics. The system has been employed in military operations targeting Iran.
Steve Feinberg, the Deputy Secretary of War, mentioned in a letter to Pentagon leaders dated March 9th of this year that embedding Palantir’s Maven Intelligent System would provide operational personnel with the “latest tools needed to detect, deter, and control adversaries in all domains.”
Maven serves as a command and control software platform, capable of analyzing battlefield data and identifying targets. It has already become a prominent AI operational system within the US military, rapidly processing vast amounts of data from satellites, drones, radars, sensors, and intelligence reports. Maven uses AI to automatically identify potential threats or targets such as enemy military vehicles, buildings, and weapon depots.
During a video statement in March, Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Central Command, emphasized that advanced AI tools could reduce processes that previously took hours or even days to be completed to seconds.
On the other hand, the Lattice system, developed by the US high-tech startup Anduril starting in 2017, acts as a software platform connecting various military equipment from ground-based radars to combat aircraft. This system aggregates information from different systems to provide a unified and comprehensive battlefield situational view for command and control, facilitating quicker decision-making processes.
Designed with a lightweight approach, the Lattice system seamlessly integrates with various aircraft, vehicles, and naval platforms. It represents a significant shift for the US military from large and comprehensive command and control platforms to AI-based, cost-effective command and control systems. The tool can also network unmanned drones and sensors to enable autonomous operations, particularly suited for communication-constrained areas.
Currently, the Japanese self-defense force’s command and control system has not incorporated AI technology. However, the government plans to introduce multiple AI systems to support operational decision-making, focusing on specific scenarios such as counter-attacks, missile defense, and drone control, each utilizing different systems.
As AI systems require handling sensitive self-defense force information, concerns have been raised regarding foreign companies’ access permissions and limited service and functionality. The Japanese government aims to mitigate such risks by reserving space for the replacement of foreign technology with domestically produced AI in the future.
Moreover, to swiftly enhance defense capabilities, adopting American-manufactured systems has become an unavoidable choice for Japan. Additionally, a proposal suggests integrating the use of various American systems with a Japanese-made “command center,” tasked with determining which AI system to activate based on specific circumstances to manage associated risks.
Furthermore, the Japanese government plans to construct domestic data centers and other infrastructure to support the operation of these systems on local soil, ensuring the secure handling of vast amounts of information.
By 2025, the Japan Self-Defense Forces are set to establish an “Integrated Command” for its land, sea, and air forces and are actively strengthening collaborations with the US military, including US forces stationed in Japan and deployed in other areas in the Pacific region.