New Delhi / Tokyo: With the signing of a “memorandum of implementation” for “co-development and co-production” of UNICORN mast for naval ships to increase their stealth features, India has concluded its first military technology transfer pact with Japan.
The memorandum of implementation (MOI)was signed at the Embassy of India, Tokyo on November 15 between Government of India and Government of Japan, for co-development of UNICORN mast for fitment onboard Ships of Indian Navy.
The MOI was signed and exchanged between the Ambassador of India to Japan, Sibi George and Ishikawa Takeshi, Commissioner of Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) under Japan MoD in a ceremony at Tokyo.
The Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) is a mast with Integrated Communication systems which will help improve the stealth characteristics of Naval Platforms.
The Indian Navy is pursuing the induction of these advanced systems which will be co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited in India with Japanese collaboration.
When implemented, this would be the first case of co-development / co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan.
These antennas, developed jointly by three Japanese companies, are currently fitted on Mogami class frigates of Japan Maritime Self Defence force.
UNICORN, unlike the conventional masts, consolidates various antennas that are attached to multiple points on a mast into a single support column in order to reduce its radar signature and improve stealth.
Additionally, the optimal placement of the antennas improves the maximum detection distance of radio waves emitted from outside, and simplified maintenance and installation processes.
The Japanese stealth mast and US-2 amphibian aircraft have been on Indian Navy’s radar for long. The pact came nine years after New Delhi and Tokyo signed an agreement on the “transfer of defence equipment and technology” to deepen the strategic ties between the two nations.
In August, during the 2+2 dialogue, the UNICORN technology was also discussed when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed bilateral strategic ties with their Japanese counterparts.
Raksha Anirveda's editorial desk team brings in the collective experience of creative professionals - a fine mix of senior copy editors, writers, proofreaders and designers. Working as a team, they continuously create, manage, and curate content to sustain the magazine's profile and reputation in line with market trends and achieve magazine's goal.
