Japan interested in getting Avenger to monitor China

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Tokyo is interested in procuring the General Atomics Avenger to monitor Chinese warships.

A Predator C Avenger unmanned aircraft system and inert ordnance sit on display on a tarmac at Palmdale, Calif., Aug. 8, 2012 120808-N-WL435-054
By MC1 Peter D. Lawlor [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons


The unmanned combat air vehicle will be operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force if procured. The timeline to enter service is late 2020s.

The aircraft will be flown above manned platforms such as the P-1 but below the RQ-4 which Japan has ordered. They will be used to monitor Chinese warships sailing nearby.

Source