The pact to equip Indian vessels with radar-evading antennas comes as China expands its own naval cooperation with Pakistan
3-MIN READ3-MINBiman MukherjiPublished: 7:30pm, 6 Jul 2026India 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.
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.
