Japan Eyes Export of "UNICORN" Advanced Ship Antennas to India

Japan is poised to make a significant contribution to India's naval capabilities with the potential export of cutting-edge communication antennas for warships.

According to a Nikkei report, the antenna system in question, dubbed "UNICORN", represents a collaborative effort between Japanese heavyweights NEC and Yokohama Rubber.

The UNICORN Advantage​

The UNICORN system, formally known as the NORA-50 antenna, stands apart with its distinctive horn-shaped design. This unique structure seamlessly integrates multiple antennas, resulting in a reduced radar signature and enhancing the warship's stealth capabilities.

The UNICORN system is currently deployed on Japan's own Maritime Self-Defence Force escort vessels (FFMs). Beyond stealth, the UNICORN system offers enhanced radio wave detection capabilities, crucial for tracking missiles and drones over extended ranges.

This technological edge provides a tactical advantage in modern naval combat scenarios.

Implications for Japan-India Relations​

The potential approval of this defence export would be a major milestone for Japan. It aligns with Japan's relaxation of restrictions on arms exports in recent years.

Furthermore, this agreement would signal deepening strategic cooperation between Japan and India, both of whom share a keen interest in countering China's growing maritime influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Bigger Picture​

The development and potential export of the UNICORN antenna system highlight several key trends:

• Japan's Rising Defence Industry: Japan is shedding its historic reluctance and proactively investing in the development and export of advanced defence technologies.
• India's Modernization Drive: India is actively seeking technologies to bolster its naval forces and maintain a competitive edge.
• Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific: The Japan-India deal reflects a broader trend of regional cooperation aimed at maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion​

The likely approval of Japan's export of UNICORN stealth antennas to India signifies a new chapter in defence cooperation between the two nations.

It underscores the growing prominence of Japan's defence industry and evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

 

[Pink Panther]

They have been saying this for years, but so far no progress, Japan has a lot to offer from Izumo class cruiser, soryu submarine, Type 10 MBT, transport jet to sea plane and many more, but when it comes to TOT they are allergic and back off.

 

[Anant]

They have been saying this for years, but so far no progress, Japan has a lot to offer from Izumo class cruiser, soryu submarine, Type 10 MBT, transport jet to sea plane and many more, but when it comes to TOT they are allergic and back off.

Izumo-class cruiser? Surely you mean their helicopter destroyers / carriers? The Izumo-class cruisers date back to the end of the 1890s, and both ships haven't been around since 1945.

 

[DrEaDlOcK]

If both parties are interested in doing business. & Clearance are given from Japanese side.
Then Indian govt should really give priority to the clearance of procurement.
This shouldn't be 2nd example of what happened to US-2 sea planes (12) were planned to be procured.
Nothing happened in the end.
Our Next gen Distroyer & frigates are in initial conceptual stages.
Also when it comes to transport planes Then kawasaki k2 are really good option for our medium size fleet procurement plans. But the thing is Japan hasn't offered it yet neither India had expressed its interest in the platform.
If bought in decent numbers we could build a supply chain & in house manufacturing /assembly line

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Japan has always been reluctant to provide these so called platforms and TOT is another problem hope we get to make the deal this time .

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

They have been saying this for years, but so far no progress, Japan has a lot to offer from Izumo class cruiser, soryu submarine, Type 10 MBT, transport jet to sea plane and many more, but when it comes to TOT they are allergic and back off.

Things have been changing. India and japan are now in quad, and strategic partnership is also there. The hesitancy is slowly disappearing, both in asian giants as well as european countries. All these countries now want partnership with india. This coincides with their deterioratimg relations with china. The geopolitics has completely flipped since a decade ago

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Japan has always been reluctant to provide these so called platforms and TOT is another problem hope we get to make the deal this time .

Things have been changing. India and japan are now in quad, and strategic partnership is also there. The hesitancy is slowly disappearing, both in asian giants as well as european countries. All these countries now want partnership with india. This coincides with their deterioratimg relations with china. The geopolitics has completely flipped since a decade ago.

 

[Ajath]

They have been saying this for years, but so far no progress, Japan has a lot to offer from Izumo class cruiser, soryu submarine, Type 10 MBT, transport jet to sea plane and many more, but when it comes to TOT they are allergic and back off.

Japan is not under any compulsion to provide India with any advanced military technology. While it would be great for India and Japan to have close military cooperation which will help in containing China , we cannot compel them. We should rely on our own strength and develop technologies in house.

 

[Sandeep]

While this may be the best stealth technology for antennas the problem is that India has a number of different antennas and multiple radars. It's not clear if they are compatible with any of the existing technology we use on all of our ships or future ships that still need constructing.

The only problem is that Japan has been very reluctant in transferring any advanced technology to us or allowing any local production. Japan has to change its attitude and be more forthcoming with sharing advanced technology to us as it increases the threat that we can impose on China. Japan can't grow its military, weapons and products in bulk or as cheap or quick as India can so the more it shares then it increases the threat we pose. Japan also has to realise that India is the only power in Asia who can keep China's power in check economically, militarily and politically.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

They have been saying this for years, but so far no progress, Japan has a lot to offer from Izumo class cruiser, soryu submarine, Type 10 MBT, transport jet to sea plane and many more, but when it comes to TOT they are allergic and back off.

But where will these antennae be used on? Destroyers, Frigates? These are not AESA radars and, definitely, will not replace MF-STAR radar in future

 

[Anant]

But where will these antennae be used on? Destroyers, Frigates? These are not AESA radars and, definitely, will not replace MF-STAR radar in future

Maybe, just maybe, depending on the costs and capabilities of this system, we could consider using them on unarmed OPVs (hopefully ones which can carry a few AShMs) or on small and medium corvettes and frigates.

 

[Pink Panther]

But where will these antennae be used on? Destroyers, Frigates? These are not AESA radars and, definitely, will not replace MF-STAR radar in future

Currently we have a lot of antennas sticking up in our destroyers, frigates and our carriers that are not very stealthy and provide our ship’s location and details to enemy ships, Japan’s UNICORN stealth antenna combines all individual antennas into one stealth antenna that reduce radar reflection. Antenna and Radar are two different things, our application of MF STAR radar is already stealthy in our Naval ships, the main complexity is in seperation of signals from each antenna within the UNICORN.

 

[Pink Panther]

Japan is not under any compulsion to provide India with any advanced military technology. While it would be great for India and Japan to have close military cooperation which will help in containing China , we cannot compel them. We should rely on our own strength and develop technologies in house.

Yes I know, they don't offer any tech to outsiders but if they wish they could.

 

[Rajesh]

The two platforms which could be useful to both countries are Kawasaki p1 and c2 platforms. If they form a jv company and do business according like sharing all tech and ip then it could benefit both countries. Kawasaki p1 has a developing variant for civilian ✈️, a platform which can used for 1.wedgetail type of awacs.2.p8i type and.3. signal and intelligence system aircraft. The nos requirement of India very high compared to Japan which will be wfit Japan in recovering their cost not to forget both are quad partners and have a common enemy . Drdo too has a similar project which was divide into two phase of development ,don't know if this deal comes with tech transfer or drdo utilising this deal to Fastrack indigenous program.

 

[Pad UwU]

They have been saying this for years, but so far no progress, Japan has a lot to offer from Izumo class cruiser, soryu submarine, Type 10 MBT, transport jet to sea plane and many more, but when it comes to TOT they are allergic and back off.

Some their weapons systems are new, maybe that's why they're now willing to transfer more than 50% of it's technology ie for type 10 mbt if are you not buying a minimum of 500~1k+ pcs.or their ships like izumo helicopter deck destroyer, soryu subs if we are not buying 1 dozen of it....

If I we're Japan yeah that a hard deal to transfer 50% tech especially if the other side would compete you against the market after obtaining it.... That a no no for them IMHO

 

[Pad UwU]

Yes I know, they don't offer any tech to outsiders but if they wish they could.

We could license it but our homies here are obsess of full transfer of tech without paying

 

[Pad UwU]

The two platforms which could be useful to both countries are Kawasaki p1 and c2 platforms. If they form a jv company and do business according like sharing all tech and ip then it could benefit both countries. Kawasaki p1 has a developing variant for civilian ✈️, a platform which can used for 1.wedgetail type of awacs.2.p8i type and.3. signal and intelligence system aircraft. The nos requirement of India very high compared to Japan which will be wfit Japan in recovering their cost not to forget both are quad partners and have a common enemy . Drdo too has a similar project which was divide into two phase of development ,don't know if this deal comes with tech transfer or drdo utilising this deal to Fastrack indigenous program.

Nah I believe the Japs had the most IP's in the JV....the Japs should own 60% while the government own 10%, the rest 30% would be the local private partner..... Or better ask them building a 100% manufacturing hub here if we order bulk for war preparation against China