India and Japan signed a memorandum of implementation for the co-development of the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) mast for fitting onboard ships of the Indian Navy.
The UNICORN is a mast with integrated communication systems that will help enhance the stealth characteristics of naval platforms. The Navy is pursuing the induction of these advanced systems which will be co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited in India with Japanese collaboration.
Primarily developed for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), UNICORN system is designed to integrate multiple communication antennas into a single, streamlined structure, improving the stealth capabilities and operational efficiency on the naval vessels.
It features a horn-shaped design which consolidates multiple antennas into a single structure, and thereby reducing the radar cross section. This design reduces mutual interference between antennas, which is crucial for effective communication and detection in military operations.
When implemented, this would be the first case of co-development/co-production of a defence equipment between India and Japan.
The MOI was signed and exchanged between the Ambassador of India to Japan, H.E. Shri Sibi George and Ishikawa Takeshi, Commissioner of Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) under Japan MoD in a ceremony at Tokyo.