New Delhi: India and Japan have identified projects to enhance defence equipment and technology cooperation in various areas at the first India-Japan Defence Industry Dialogue.
Cooperation in strategic areas have expanded between India and Japan with more joint military exercises, in outer space, R&D cooperation in the defence and security area, and in peaceful uses of nuclear energy as
the bilateral relations between India and Japan have witnessed expansion and deepening of ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’.
SIDM and the International Security Industrial Council – Japan with the support of the Department of Defence Production and the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency, Japanese Ministry of Defence had organised a Virtual India – Japan Defence Industry Dialogue on August 30.
Ambassador of India to Japan, Sanjay Kumar Verma in his opening remarks stated that for enhancing cooperation in the defence and security, the two countries should explore new areas like electromagnetic spectrum, space, cyberspace, underwater domain awareness, high energy lasers, cryptography, sensors, optic cables, robotics and artificial intelligence. He said that with its technical capability and established avenues for research in future technology, Japan has much more to offer to not only the Indian Armed Forces but also to Indian PSUs and defence industry as a whole. And on the other hand, India has a huge pool of trained and young manpower and is a huge market for high end military equipment, combined with investor friendly initiatives by the government.
According to Ambassador of Japan to India Satoshi Suzuki, Japan through co-development, co-design and co-manufacture under ‘Make in India’ can be part of Atmanirbhar Bharat journey. He highlighted various sectors where the two sides could collaborate – like building naval vessels and submarines, participate in India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. And also in parts, components, and materials which are used in making these different platforms. “We are sure to find items that can match the needs of India,” he added.
The Japanese envoy offered that companies from his country would be able to cooperate at the component or material level. The two countries are already in discussions for various projects including: BEL and Toshiba Corporation of Japan for Li-Ion Battery Technology. The Indian DPSU BEL has also submitted a proposal to another Japanese company Jupitor Corporation, for supply of Anti Drone System for the end requirement of the Ministry of Defence.
In projects related to the UGV/Robotics Project, Silicon Carbide (SiC) single crystal bulk growth, Wafer fabrication process technology, among others, ATLA and DRDO have collaborated. Also projects related to underwater maritime security like — Underwater wireless power transmission and underwater communication, Cooperative and distributive intelligence technologies, Fabrication facility for development of case less, brushless micro motors, and more. During the previous JWG-DETC meeting, Indian Navy had offered cooperation to ATLA in ship design and construction and also in Li-ion Batteries.
Earlier this year in May, reports from Japan indicated that soon the Japanese government will allow exports of lethal military equipment to 11 countries including India. These will include fighter jets and missiles and such a move which will start next year will help the two sides to work together in defence manufacturing.
Neeraj Gupta, Chairman, SIDM International and Exports Committee highlighted that India and Japan are regional powers with similar goals and values, and urged the two sides to pool resources to develop technologies of the future. He said that Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, Internet of Things (IoT) among other emerging technologies can be developed by the two sides and they should jointly identify collaborative opportunities with friendly foreign countries across the globe.
Prof Tomohiko Taniguchi, Former Special Adviser to late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe moderated the discussion. Among the participants were Takahiro Araki, Head of International Cooperation Office, ATLA, Japan Ministry of Defence; Cmde Mukesh Bhargava, Former Chairman, SIDM Naval Systems Committee; Junichi Nishiyama, Former Deputy Manager Aerospace, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
