India-Japan 2025: Breaks off barriers in defence tech cooperation

Time of India

05-05-2025

Manish Kumar Jha is a defence editor and security expert. He is the Sr. Visiting Fellow & Editorial Adviser at the United Services Institution of India. He is a fellow of Oxford University/KPF. He writes on national security, military technology, strategic affairs & policies. LESS ... MORE
India and Japan have been strengthening their bilateral defence ties, a partnership seen as a crucial strategic counterbalance. A new milestone in this relationship has been marked with the recent India-Japan agreement on the 'Unicorn Masts' technology, which would be the first case of co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan. With the gradual breaking of constitutional barriers, it has the potential to open the scope of collaboration from global jet programmes to submarines with India. With Prime Minister Modi's impending visit to Japan this year, it is important to assess the overall bilateral economic and security cooperation.
The bilateral relationship has evolved significantly over the past two decades, encompassing trade, investment, strategic cooperation, and infrastructure development. Yet, while ties are warm and promising in many areas, there is an underwhelming partnership in some critical areas, including hi-tech and defence.
In the wake of Prime Minister Modi's impending visit to Japan and the India-Japan summit, which is scheduled to take place before the end of the year, it is important to assess the overall bilateral economic and security cooperation.
Bilateral trade is still somewhat achieving its potential. Despite the 2011 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which aimed to eliminate tariffs on over 90% of goods, businesses on both sides cite regulatory bottlenecks, lack of awareness, and logistical challenges as barriers to greater trade.
However, India and Japan have taken steps to strengthen their bilateral defence ties, a partnership seen as a crucial strategic counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
A new milestone in this relationship has been marked with the recent India-Japan agreement on the 'Unicorn Masts' technology. This development is not only a testament to the expanding defence cooperation between the two nations but also holds significant geopolitical implications.
The Indian Navy will induct these advanced systems with additional elements, which are co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in India with Japanese collaboration.
When implemented, this would be the first case of co-development / co-production of Defence Equipment between India and Japan.
The antenna, also known as Nora-50, was developed by Japan's NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo K.K., and Yokohama Rubber Co. Limited. It is currently installed on the Mogami-class frigates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Forces (JMSDF) mast.
The Unicorn Masts Technology and its importance
The 'Unicorn Masts' agreement between India and Japan focuses on the transfer of advanced radar systems for surveillance purposes. These radar systems, developed by Japan's Mitsubishi Electric, are known for their ability to detect even the most elusive objects, such as stealth aircraft, making them a critical asset in modern warfare. India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will collaborate with Japan's leading defence technology firms to integrate these radars into India's defence systems.
The 'Unicorn Masts' is an advanced system of clusters of antennas, which work on a single support system—a single radar dome, instead of spreading across the ships. This adds to the warships' stealth capability as it cuts the visibility of multiple points of radar cross-section. Such an arrangement is vital for maritime missions, especially in the contested zone of conflict.
It is important to note that India is the only country, after the Philippines, to receive defence equipment of such grade.
While the agreement is limited to the advanced radar, it underscores the gradual opening of Japan's pacifist outlook and willingness to participate in the defence technology supply chain with key friends and allies in the region.
This agreement highlights Japan's growing willingness to share advanced military technology with India as both countries face rising tensions with China in the region.
Expanding military ties between India and Japan
This agreement forms part of a broader shift towards deepening military cooperation between India and Japan. Both nations have recognised the importance of a unified approach to counter China's assertive military strategies in the Indo-Pacific. Japan has long been concerned about China's increasing naval and military activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea, while India has been focused on securing its maritime interests in the Indian Ocean. The partnership between the two nations, particularly in defence cooperation, helps to reinforce stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of this expanding cooperation, India and Japan have also been working on joint military exercises and defence technologies, with a special focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime security, and fighter jet collaboration. The strategic importance of these initiatives is underscored by China's growing military capabilities and its aggressive stance on territorial disputes, particularly in the South China Sea and along the Himalayan borders.
In addition to the agreement with Japan, India has also taken steps to enhance defence cooperation with other nations such as the US and France. By expanding its options for defence-related procurements to include technologically advanced and like-minded nations, India is on the path to greater strategic autonomy as well as bargaining power in the international defence market.
Japan's fighter jet and submarine exports to India
The growing India-Japan defence relationship is not just limited to radar systems. Japan is also actively exploring opportunities to open its doors to foreign collaboration for its advanced military collaboration, including fighter jets and submarines.
In fact, last year on March 15, in a sweeping decision, Japan announced the easing of its stance on the transfer of military equipment to other friendly nations, revising the implementation guidelines for its three principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology.
Such a move becomes important so that it will be able to export the aircraft to third countries, keeping the multinational Global Combat Aircraft Programme (GCAP) with Italy and the UK on track.
Additionally, Japan is also expanding its naval exports for a joint development of frigates with the Australian Navy. Moreover, Japan has established a government entity with a private company for the sale of its Mogami-class destroyers to Australia.
However, the agreement is not a binding act but only allows the government to ease the stringent restrictions and regulations on a case-by-case basis, with discussion with various stakeholders.
The move is meant to significantly impact the GCAP, facilitating smoother international collaboration in defence technology.
Interestingly, both countries are looking at next-generation combat jet programs to address the need for air superiority with the radical shift in technological advancement.
While Japan has GCAP with Italy and the UK as key partners, India is moving ahead with its AMCA–Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft–– program on its own. However, such opportunities also open the scope of collaboration with India's close friends and strategic partners like Japan. The new emerging technology in aerospace needs collaboration in areas ranging from advanced materials to aero-structural.
At the same time, a look at China's introduction of the J-36 and J-50 fighters indicates a significant advancement in its military aviation capabilities and aims to take a wide leap in warfare. For example, China's J-36, created by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, has already pitched a stealth aircraft with a tailless delta wing design with three engines and high-speed performance. While it is not confirmed technically, the J-36 is often compared with the US's stealth F-35. Moreover, China's J-50 with a twin-engine configuration promises to be a sixth-generation combat aircraft, if not equal, then close to the capability of the world's most advanced Lockheed Martin's F-22.
In addition to fighter jets, India could leverage Japan's cutting-edge submarines, particularly its Soryu-class submarines, which are among the most advanced in the world. As in the case of Soryu-class submarines, a 4200-ton sub, known to be the best non-nuclear submarine in the world, is seemingly quiet and has longer endurance than any equivalent sub, like the French submarine Scorpene and the Type 214 of Germany. Upgraded, it is the only submarine in the world to use a lithium-ion battery propulsion system.
Way back, India's then defence minister Manohar Parrikar, asked Japan to participate in the P-75 (I)submarine programme.
These submarines are known for their stealth features, long-range strike capabilities, and advanced propulsion systems. However, Japan opted out.
Constitutional's matter
However, Japan did not participate in India's submarine programme like the ongoing P-75 (India). One of the reasons is the complex defence procedure, which also requires a good deal of technology transfer.
Japan's restrictions on sharing advanced defence technology come out of its constitution –Article 9- which limits its military to self-defence and a policy to limit transfers of military equipment and technology and ban all exports of lethal weapons. While Article 9, Paragraph 1, has been interpreted to allow Japan to maintain a self-defence force and engage in certain international activities, it has historically limited Japan's ability to export arms. Further, Article 9, Paragraph 2 prohibits the maintenance of a war potential, including an army, navy, or air force.
However, in a radical shift, in 2014, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan's policy on arms exports shifted, leading to the gradual easing of military export (low technologies) in addressing the security threat from China and North Korea.
No doubt that China's military buildup, including the development of advanced fighter jets, warships, and nuclear-powered submarines, has prompted India and Japan to explore deeper security cooperation. Both countries are also members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a strategic forum comprising the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, which aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
India, in turn, has been seeking to diversify its defence imports to reduce its dependency on any one country. The cooperation in high-tech areas of fighter jets and submarines will allow India to modernise its military capabilities as Japan gains in scaling up its military industrial capability.
A geopolitical turning point
The India-Japan defence cooperation, marked by agreements such as the Unicorn Masts technology transfer and joint defence manufacturing projects, is a clear signal of both countries' intent to bolster their military capabilities in the face of common security challenges. As China continues to assert its influence across the Indo-Pacific, the importance of strengthening ties with Japan has never been more apparent for India.
Furthermore, Japan's growing willingness to share defence technology with India signals a shift in its post-war pacifist stance. The bilateral relationship between India and Japan is not just a response to China's growing military assertiveness but also a reflection of a broader, evolving security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
Even in the case of submarines, while it did not take off, Japan's willingness to export such advanced military technologies makes a pivotal shift in its post-World War II defence policy, which has traditionally been more restrictive.
The Indo-Pacific region may witness a new balance of power, one where India and Japan, backed by their respective military advancements, serve as key players in safeguarding peace and stability against the rising tide of Chinese dominance.
With security and economic concerns, it is not late that Japan looks at greater military industrial collaboration, especially in fighter jet and submarine in the wake of rapidly changing dynamics in the region.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.