India, Japan look at joint naval shipbuilding, technology transfer with pact to deepe
India, Japan look at joint naval shipbuilding, technology transfer with pact to deepen defence ties
M.U.H
20/08/202632
New Delhi: India and Japan Thursday agreed to deepen defence cooperation in the maritime domain, including exploration of joint development of naval ships and design, greater use of India’s shipbuilding capabilities under ‘Make in India’ framework, reciprocal ship-repair facilities, and wider transfer of defence technology.
The agreement comes as Japan undergoes major transformation in its defence policy. The Sanae Takaichi-led government is seeking to expand security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific in view of China’s growing military capabilities and North Korea’s missile programme.
Following talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi, the two countries, for the first time, issued a detailed joint statement outlining the broad areas of their future defence and maritime cooperation.
They also signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation, which provides a framework for closer cooperation between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Indian Navy, including information sharing on Maritime Domain Awareness, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The two sides further agreed to strengthen coordination for protection of sea lines of communication through reciprocal naval ship and unit visits, joint exercises, personnel and subject-matter expert exchanges, as well as logistical support, including access to ports, and maintenance and repair facilities.
Industrial cooperation
The most significant aspect of discussions was the focus on defence industrial cooperation.
The two ministers agreed that India and Japan should “maximise synergies” to strengthen mine-countermeasure capabilities and explore the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, leveraging Japan’s technological expertise and India’s production capabilities.
The two sides also agreed to examine greater Japanese use of India’s shipbuilding capabilities under the ‘Make in India’ framework.
According to the joint statement, the ministers concurred on moving towards reciprocal provision of ship-repair facilities, and a ship-repair arrangement in near future.
Japan’s changing defence posture
The developments assume greater significance against the backdrop of a fundamental shift in Japan’s defence policy.
The country’s post-war security policy was built around its pacifist Constitution, particularly Article 9, and the doctrine of senshu boei—exclusively defence-oriented posture.
On 21 April this year, Prime Minister Takaichi’s cabinet approved a major change to Japan’s framework governing defence equipment and technology transfers, including lifting restrictions on exports of lethal finished military equipment to 17 partner countries with active defence transfer agreements.
The policy shift has been driven by a rapidly changing security environment in East Asia, including China’s military expansion, North Korea’s continuing missile activity and closer security coordination between China and Russia.
For India, Japan’s changing approach creates an opportunity to move the bilateral relationship beyond exercises and maritime coordination towards deeper defence-industrial cooperation.
UNICORN project as test case
The two ministers also reviewed the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, which is being pursued as the first defence equipment transfer project between India and Japan.
Singh welcomed Tokyo’s recent review of its framework for defence equipment and technology transfers, saying that he expected Japan to contribute further to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and the wider world.
Both ministers described the UNICORN project as a symbol of growing India-Japan partnership in defence equipment and technology transfers, and expressed commitment to working towards its early realisation.
The maritime security agreement also envisages enhanced operational cooperation. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security in a practical and effective manner through naval exercises, information sharing, personnel exchanges and logistical cooperation.
“Such cooperation is vital not only to Japan and India, but also to the region and the international community,” the joint statement reads.
Koizumi’s trip to India also included a visit to India’s Western Naval Command in Mumbai. Prior to his meeting with Singh, he paid homage to India’s fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in Delhi, and was accorded a Tri-Services Guard of Honour.
