Japan is deploying ultra-cheap cardboard drones built for swarm warfare and expendable combat missions — $2,000 expendable combat drones cost less than some gaming PCs
Japan has begun deploying low-cost cardboard drones developed by AirKamuy for military use, particularly as aerial targets for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The AirKamuy 150 drone costs between $2,000 and $2,500, making it significantly cheaper than conventional military drones. Designed for mass production and expendable missions, the drones can be used in swarms for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, or attack operations.
- ▪Japan's Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi confirmed the use of AirKamuy's cardboard drones by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
- ▪The AirKamuy 150 is made primarily from corrugated cardboard with a water-resistant coating and can be assembled in five to ten minutes.
- ▪Each drone costs between $2,000 and $2,500, substantially less than Iran’s Shahed drones, which cost an estimated $20,000 to $50,000 each.
- ▪The drone can fly for about 80 minutes, travel up to 50 miles, and carry payloads of up to three pounds.
- ▪AirKamuy CEO Yamaguchi Takumi stated the drone can be manufactured at any cardboard plant, enabling rapid, large-scale production.
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Tech Industry Japan is deploying ultra-cheap cardboard drones built for swarm warfare and expendable combat missions — $2,000 expendable combat drones cost less than some gaming PCs News By Etiido Uko published 3 May 2026 $2000 drones vs. millions of dollars worth of military equipment When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. $2000 AirKamuy 150 cardboard drone (Image credit: AirKamuy) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 2 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Japan’s Minister of Defense, Shinjirō Koizumi, said in a post on X on Monday that the country had begun using expendable cardboard drones developed by…
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