Neros Technologies Hosts Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi at
El Segundo Headquarters

Minister Koizumi’s first diplomatic visit to the United States included
a stop in El Segundo to tour Neros Technologies and learn more
about its unmanned defense systems, highlighting the
city’s prominent and expanding hard defense tech sector.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — (Jan. 21, 2026) — Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi arrived at LAX Tuesday on his first diplomatic visit to the United States, heading directly to El Segundo-based Neros Technologies to learn more about their unmanned defense systems.

“This is the first time for the Japanese Defense Ministry to have this kind of reception in the US,” said Minister Koizumi. “I hope you receive this action and message of a strong commitment to do something bolder, something stronger, providing a more stable, more peaceful Asia and Indo-Pacific.”

In partnership with the III Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Schwab at Okinawa, Neros conducted a live-fire demonstration of their small, first-person-view (FPV) drones last December, showcasing their strategic technology to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. After, Minister Koizumi decided to add a stop at Nero’s headquarters in El Segundo to better understand their work and explore ways to cooperate.

“We are honored to welcome Minister Koizumi to El Segundo and to strengthen our alliance with the Japan Self-Defense Forces,” said Mayor Chris Pimentel. “Our city continues to lead on the global stage, highlighting the world-class technology and innovators based here. Neros is a great example of our tradition of building next generation defense systems.”

Neros gained international attention by supplying systems to defend Ukraine and providing an alternative to drone technologies produced in China. Founded in El Segundo in 2023 by former professional drone racers Soren Monroe-Anderson and Olaf Hichwa, Neros is onshoring the manufacture of drones needed for modern military defense.

Since its founding, the company has rapidly scaled its operations, growing from fewer than a dozen employees to more than 70 and expanding its footprint in El Segundo to support both R&D and high-volume drone deployment solutions.

“When El Segundo receives visitors from abroad, it is a testament to the entire community," said Mayor Pimentel. "We have a business infrastructure and a common culture that fosters big ideas; Neros is exactly the kind of high growth company that brings us international acclaim.”

About Neros Technologies
Neros Technologies is the largest American manufacturer of FPV drones. Founded in 2023, Neros designs, builds, and scales drone technologies to deliver asymmetric advantage to U.S. and allied forces. All Neros systems are NDAA-compliant with Department of War security standards and manufactured with a secure and vetted allied supply chain.

About the City of El Segundo
The City of El Segundo is a thriving coastal community in southwestern Los Angeles County. The city’s vibrant economy includes leaders in aerospace and defense, bioscience, information technology, energy, real estate, creative media, and toys. The city has seen tremendous growth and evolution over the past several years and is home to Mattel, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Air Force Base Space Systems Command, and the Los Angeles Chargers, Kings, Lakers, and Sparks.