India and Japan have agreed to jointly develop technology that makes Indian warships harder to detect, in a move that analysts say takes their defence partnership to a new level and reflects growing unease in both capitals over how far they can rely on Washington.
The project involves fitting Indian warships with Japan’s Unified Complex Radio Antenna (Unicorn) system, which lowers a vessel’s radar profile by combining multiple antennas into a single, compact structure and reducing the exposed surfaces that reflect radar signals.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the project’s significance after talks with his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, in New Delhi on Thursday, describing the agreement as the “first-ever co-development project between India and Japan”.
The naval antenna project would “open a new chapter in our defence technology partnership”, Modi said. “Going forward, we will jointly develop defence technologies that will strengthen regional peace, maritime security and a rules-based order.”
Analysts say the collaboration reflects growing strategic trust as both countries seek closer security cooperation and less reliance on outside powers.