India and Japan to Discuss Naval Antenna Co-Production During Defence Ministers' Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold a bilateral meeting with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Thursday. The two sides are expected to discuss the co-production of the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) mast, which was announced earlier for future Indian Navy warships.

In July 2026, both countries formally announced the co-development of the naval antenna system, commonly known as “Nora-50,” for Indian Navy platforms. Under a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) signed on November 15, 2024, Japan provides design and engineering support, while India handles integration, adaptation, and co-production through state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).

The UNICORN system is classified as a weapon-grade composite radar mast and is currently deployed aboard Mogami-class frigates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). According to a Ministry of Defence statement issued on Wednesday, the two Ministers will exchange views on maritime security cooperation and defense equipment technology collaboration under the ‘Make-in-India’ framework. This follows Japan’s revision of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology.

The meeting aims to strengthen bilateral defence relations, enhance strategic trust, and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Officials note the partnership allows Japan to explore alternative manufacturing cooperation as it diversifies its defense procurement sources.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is currently on his maiden visit to India. On Wednesday, he visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai, holding discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan. The visiting dignitary inspected a Guard of Honour, laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh at the Naval Dockyard, and visited the indigenous ship INS Chennai.

The visit follows recent high-level diplomatic engagements, coming weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Delhi for the Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where both leaders agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation.

"This bilateral engagement highlights the expanding scope of industrial cooperation between India and Japan, particularly in high-technology manufacturing. By leveraging state-owned entities like Bharat Electronics Ltd for the co-production of advanced systems such as the UNICORN radar mast, India continues to strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities under the Make-in-India initiative while building resilient supply chains with key international partners in the Indo-Pacific region." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes