- India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) for the co-development of the UNICORN mast.
- It enhances the stealth characteristics of Indian naval warships.
- This marks Japan’s first defence technology export under the 2015 bilateral defence equipment and technology transfer agreement.
- The Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) mast is a conical structure with Integrated Communication systems that improve communication efficiency for naval warships.
- Co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (India) in collaboration with Japanese technology.
- Discussed during the India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in August 2024, emphasising the “early transfer” of technology.
- Previous negotiations for amphibious planes for the Indian Navy stalled due to cost concerns and competing priorities.
| Stealth Characteristics It refers to the design and technologies used in military equipment, especially aircraft, ships, and submarines, to reduce their visibility to enemy detection systems like radar, sonar, infrared, and other tracking methods. Shape Design: Angular or smooth surfaces to deflect radar waves. Materials: Use of radar-absorbing materials to minimise radar signature. Heat Management: Reducing infrared signature by controlling heat emissions. Acoustic Reduction: Minimizing noise to evade sonar detection. |
Dig Deeper: Read about the India-Japan Defence Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement, 2015 along with the Pacifist policies of Japan.
