US military to indefinitely deploy MQ-9 drones at Okinawa's Kadena Air Base

Kyodo News reported Wednesday that the US Marine Corps will transition its temporary deployment of MQ-9 reconnaissance drones at Okinawa's Kadena Air Base to indefinite status, according to Japan's Ministry of Defense. The Okinawa Defense Bureau formally notified local authorities of the decision, which aims to strengthen surveillance capabilities amid increased maritime activities by China in the region.

Okinawa Prefecture's Base Policy Executive Director Matayoshi Nobu criticized the move as "adding to the burden," noting delayed progress in relocating Marines to Guam as part of US force realignment. The Marine Corps initially deployed up to six MQ-9s last August under a planned one-year temporary arrangement.

The Kadena base already hosts indefinite deployments of the US Air Force's MQ-9s since November 2023 and the Navy's larger MQ-4C reconnaissance drones since April this year. The MQ-9 Reaper features a 20-meter wingspan, 11-meter length, and approximately 8,500-kilometer operational range according to defense ministry specifications.