India and Japan signed their first defence co-development project on July 2, 2024 [1], focusing on the development of the UNICORN naval mast.
This agreement marks a shift from a buyer-seller relationship to a collaborative partnership. It establishes a framework for the two nations to co-create military technology, reducing reliance on external suppliers, and strengthening regional security architecture.
The pact was finalized in New Delhi during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Takaichi [1]. The UNICORN project is the primary outcome of this specific defence initiative, serving as a pilot for future joint ventures in military hardware [2].
"India and Japan have signed an agreement for their first co‑development project in the defence sector," Modi said [3].
Beyond the naval mast, the two countries signed a series of agreements to create a joint roadmap for economic and strategic cooperation. These pacts cover several high-tech and resource-heavy sectors, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and energy [1].
The cooperation also extends to critical minerals, which are essential for the production of modern electronics and green energy technologies [1]. By aligning their supply chains, India and Japan aim to secure the materials needed for their respective industrial goals.
This strategic alignment comes as both nations seek to balance power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The broader partnership emphasizes a shared interest in maritime security and the stability of international trade routes, priorities that underpin the new defence and economic agreements [1, 2].
“India and Japan have signed an agreement for their first co‑development project in the defence sector.”
The transition to co-development signifies a deepening of trust between New Delhi and Tokyo. By moving into joint military R&D, India and Japan are not only enhancing their technical capabilities but are also creating a strategic counterweight to regional hegemony in the Indo-Pacific, while diversifying their critical mineral and semiconductor supply chains.
