India, Japan pledge to fast-track UNICORN deployment, deepen naval shipbuilding ties

Published Aug 21, 01:39 PM UTC

India and Japan have pledged to expedite the deployment of their collaborative Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) communications system and intensify joint development in naval shipbuilding, following a bilateral defence meeting on 20 August 2026 in New Delhi. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described UNICORN as a symbol of deepening cooperation in defence equipment and technology transfers. The system, first agreed upon in 2024, integrates multiple communication antennas into a single mast to enhance warship stealth. The ministers also signed a new Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation to advance bilateral maritime collaboration, including information sharing, joint exercises, and disaster relief. They agreed to explore joint naval ship design and construction, combining Japan's technological expertise with India's production capabilities under the 'Make in India' initiative. A joint Working Group at senior official level will be established to coordinate defence efforts across operational, intelligence, equipment, and industrial domains.