In a comprehensive analysis released this week, the Tokyo-based Japan Forward Association emphasized that Japan and India are establishing a “unprecedented high-technology military collaboration” by overcoming decades of limitations and conventional defense alliances.
“The Indo-Pacific region is at a turning point in history when strategic outcomes are increasingly determined by technological dominance. Pema Gyalpo, a visiting professor at the Takushoku University Centre for Indo-Pacific Strategic Studies, remarked, “Against this backdrop, Japan and India are breaking through decades of constraints and traditional defense partnerships to forge an unprecedented high-technology military collaboration.”
“This developing partnership goes beyond the traditional arms trade. In a paper titled ‘Japan, India Security Cooperation Rises Across the Board,’ Gyalpo noted, “It represents a fundamental reimagining of how two major democracies can jointly develop, produce, and deploy cutting-edge defense systems that will shape regional security architectures for generations.”
India and Japan have a long-standing friendship that has been even stronger since it was upgraded to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014.
The increasing convergence on strategic issues has led to a recent strengthening of India-Japan defense exchanges. Its importance is growing as a result of the shared perspective on Indo-Pacific peace, security, and stability challenges.
On November 15, 2024, India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo for the joint creation of a Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) mast that will be installed on Indian Navy ships.
In a ceremony held in Tokyo, Sibi George, the Indian ambassador to Japan, and Ishikawa Takeshi, the commissioner of the Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) under the Japanese Ministry of Defense, signed and exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding.
Naval platforms will be more stealthy thanks to the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN), a mast with integrated communication equipment.
The Indian Navy is working to introduce these cutting-edge equipment, which will be jointly developed in India by Bharat Electronics Limited and Japan.
When put into action, this would be the first instance of India and Japan working together to produce defense equipment.
It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this discovery. India is now only the second Asian country, after the Philippines, to get such top-tier defense equipment from Tokyo thanks to Japan’s decision to share this advanced stealth technology, which is now installed on its state-of-the-art Mogami-class frigates. The strategic trust between the two countries is emphasized by this targeted technology transfer. Additionally, it shows that Japan views India as a vital ally in preserving Indo-Pacific stability,” the Japan Forward report emphasized.
Following their agreement to increase co-production and co-development in the defense manufacturing sector, both nations have reaffirmed the significance of cooperation between the defense industry and technology.
“The possibilities for cooperation go beyond radar systems and encompass all cutting-edge military technologies. There are several chances due to Japan’s submarine technical competence. The Soryu-class submarines represent the ultimate in traditional submarine technology, with its ground-breaking lithium-ion battery propulsion systems. According to the study, these 4,200-ton ships outperform the German Type 214 and the French Scorpene submarines now being developed in India in terms of stealth and endurance.
It emphasized that India offers a sizable market, developing technological skills, and strategic depth in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), whereas Japan holds cutting-edge technology and manufacturing precision.
“A vision for an indigenous Indo-Pacific security architecture based on shared democratic ideals and strategic objectives is embodied by the high-tech defense relationship between Japan and India. This collaboration preserves strategic autonomy while providing both countries with a route to enhanced capabilities. Even while the UNICORN masts agreement is only the start, Gyalpo thinks it marks a shift that could reshape the dynamics of regional security for many years to come.
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