On August 26, 2026, Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) finalized the award for its 'Early Acquisition Program for Interceptor Drones': of 38 companies that submitted proposals and 4 that advanced to field testing, Terra Drone's domestically developed interceptor drone Terra B1 was the only model to pass all live-fire and field evaluations. A mass-production procurement agreement has been signed, with plans to deploy large-scale drone formations by 2027. The first batch is scheduled for delivery around September and will be assigned to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, with subsequent expansion to the Air and Ground Self-Defense Forces. The tender was issued at the end of May and the contract signed in late August—setting the fastest procurement cycle in Japan's defense history (previously 1–2 years). The Terra B1 is designed to intercept 'Shahed'-type one-way attack drones and anti-radiation loitering munitions, offering a low-cost alternative to expensive interceptor missiles. Terra Drone states that 3D printing will streamline design validation while reducing costs and accelerating development, and plans to organize production through multiple distributed 'print factories' to enhance resilience and secure supply chains. Following the August 26 announcement, the company's stock hit the daily limit up. The entry of 3D printing into defense-scale procurement marks another milestone in additive manufacturing's transition from prototyping to serialized defense supply chains. Value for powder buyers: ① Serialized production of defense-grade metal AM components will drive sustained demand for titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, and other metal powders; ② The distributed print-factory model creates opportunities for multi-point powder supply and inventory positioning; ③ Watch for Japan's defense AM supply chain requirements regarding powder supplier certification and delivery systems.