The Nikkei publication reported that, ‘The Japanese government is looking for the probability of exporting naval ship communication antennas to Bharat.
The antenna which is nicknamed as ‘UNICORN’ were developed collaboratively by a consortium of Japanese companies, including Nippon Electric Company and Yokohama Rubber.
‘The decision on the number of antennas to be sell out and the related contract costs are still under consideration’, says Japanese government insiders.
It will mark the second instance of Japan exporting defence equipment if the deal materializes since the lifting of a ban on such transfers in 2014 during the prime ministerial tenure of Shinzo Abe.
In the last year, the first such instance of export from Japan occurred when radar systems were exported to the Philippines. The deal between the two Quad partners highlights an expansion of Indo-Japanese ties in the security in addition to enhanced deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Currently, the UNICORN antenna, is deployed on Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force FFM escort vessels. Its capabilities comprise of detecting the movement of missiles and drones through the sensing of radio waves across a wide area.
The export of lethal defence equipment is prohibited by Japan. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), including Japan, Australia, the United States, and Bharat, is expected to hold a summit in Bharat later this year.
According to the sources cited by Nikkei, ‘Plans are underway to finalise the UNICORN deal during a meeting between leaders of Japan and Bharat at the summit’.
Bharat is diversifying its sources by engaging in agreements with the US, France, and Israel.
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