FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Market Chatter: Japan Seeks to Scale Up Drone Production With Startup Support

By

Japan is moving to develop a domestic drone industry that can scale production in emergencies and strengthen national security, with the Ministry of Defense planning to support startups and expand civilian manufacturing capacity, Nikkei reported Friday.

Under a new program by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, drone prototypes will be tested in Self-Defense Forces exercises, with feedback on performance to help companies prepare for mass production, the report said.

Domestic players such as ACSL (TYO:6232) and Terra Drone (TYO:278A) have emerged, but limited production infrastructure and heavy reliance on Chinese suppliers, led by DJI, remain key gaps, according to the report.

The government plans to reflect the push in an updated security strategy while addressing regulatory hurdles that constrain drone testing and development, the report said.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Related Articles

Asia

SPIC Industry-Finance's Q1 Profit Up 0.3%, Shares Down 4%

SPIC Industry-Finance (SHE:000958) posted first-quarter attributable net profit of 1.12 billion yuan, up 0.3% from 1.11 billion yuan the previous year.Earnings per share declined to 0.0643 yuan from 0.0859 yuan, according to a Friday filing with the Shanghai bourse.Operating revenue slid 17% year over year to 2.73 billion yuan from 3.30 billion yuan.Shares of the heat and electricity supply services provider were down 4% in recent trade.

SHE:000958
Asia

Uni-Bio Science Moves to Replace Expiring Share Option Scheme

Uni-Bio Science (HKG:0690) proposed to terminate its existing share option scheme and adopt a new one, according to a Thursday Hong Kong bourse filing.Shares of the firm were down nearly 1% in Friday late morning trade.The current scheme, adopted in September 2016, is set to expire in September and will no longer allow new grants.As of the announcement date, 420.6 million options remain outstanding under the scheme.The company said the new scheme aims to continue incentivising and rewarding eligible participants for their contributions.

HKG:0690
Asia

Pacific Lime and Cement Signs MOU With Papua New Guinea-Based Power Producer

Pacific Lime and Cement (ASX:PLA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Papua New Guinea-based power operator Dirio Gas & Power to develop dedicated power infrastructure for the Central Lime and Cement project, according to a Friday filing with the Australian bourse.The MOU establishes a framework for the companies to work on delivering a private 66-kilovolt transmission line from the Central Province Power Station to Pacific Lime and Cement's project area, the filing said.Electricity supply may be extended to nearby communities along the transmission corridor, subject to capacity and approvals, per the filing.Pacific Lime and Cement shares fell nearly 2% in afternoon trade Friday.

ASX:PLA