Mitsubishi Electric lands Australia defense contract in industry first

According to The Nikkei Asia, Mitsubishi Electric has signed an agreement with the Australian Defence Department for joint equipment development, the company announced Thursday, the first time a Japanese company has entered a defense contract with a foreign government.
Subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Australia and the Australian military will combine laser technologies to enhance surveillance capabilities for fighter jets and vehicles. The development timeline and cost estimates were not disclosed.
Up to now, Japanese defense manufacturers have participated in developing equipment for foreign governments through Japan's Defense Ministry.
Japan's defense industry faces high investment costs in equipment and human resources to maintain technological standards, and its only customers have been domestic ones.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Aerospace-Defense-Industries/Mitsubishi-Electric-lands-Australia-defense-contract-in-industry-first