Japan will supply naval ship antennas to Quad ally India in a bid to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, Nikkei has learned, with the deal expected to be announced at a meeting between foreign and defense ministers in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Ministers from both sides will participate in what is known as a two-plus-two meeting in the Indian capital, the first such meeting between the countries since September 2022.
At the previous meeting, the sides confirmed the potential to expand cooperation. A goal for the meeting next week will be to lay out concrete measures on how to boost cooperation in defense equipment.
The antennas, developed by NEC and other Japanese companies, are installed on the most advanced escort ships used by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. They are capable of rapidly detecting the movements of missiles and drones.
Use of the same equipment will allow for better cooperation during joint defense exercises. Information sharing will also likely become smoother.
India has procured a wide range of weapons from Russia, with which it has historically had close ties. In light of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, India has been expanding procurement in recent years to break away from its reliance on Russia.
To that end, Japan and India have concluded an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology.
The two-plus-two meeting will confirm the maintenance and strengthening of an international order based on the rule of law, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s military expansion in mind.
The countries will also agree to improve the quality and quantity of joint exercises between Japan and India, as well as those with the U.S. and Australia — the other members of the Quad partnership.
