India and Japan sign Memorandum of Implementation to co-develop UNICORN masts for Indian Navy
On 15 November 2024 at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation for co-development of UNICORN masts for Indian Navy ships.
Summary
On 15 November 2024 at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, the Governments of India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) for co-development of the UNICORN mast for fitment on Indian Navy ships. It was signed and exchanged by India's Ambassador to Japan Sibi George and Ishikawa Takeshi, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) of Japan's Ministry of Defence. The Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) is a mast with integrated communication systems that improves the stealth of naval platforms. It will be co-developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd in India with Japanese collaboration and, when implemented, will be the first case of co-development / co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan.
Key facts
- Date/place
- 15 Nov 2024, Embassy of India, Tokyo
- Document
- Memorandum of Implementation
- Signatories
- Ambassador Sibi George; Ishikawa Takeshi (ATLA, Japan MoD)
- UNICORN
- Unified Complex Radio Antenna; improves stealth
- Indian partner
- Bharat Electronics Ltd
- First
- First India-Japan defence co-development/co-production case
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In the India-Japan Memorandum of Implementation signed on 15 November 2024, what does UNICORN stand for?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Unified Complex Radio Antenna
PIB (Defence): UNICORN is the Unified Complex Radio Antenna, a mast with integrated communication systems that improves stealth.
Which Indian company will co-develop the UNICORN mast with Japanese collaboration?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Electronics Ltd
PIB (Defence): the UNICORN masts will be co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited in India with Japanese collaboration.
Consider the following about the UNICORN Memorandum of Implementation (November 2024): 1. When implemented, it will be the first case of co-development / co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan. 2. It was signed in New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Defence): it will be the first India-Japan defence co-development / co-production case, and it was signed at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, not New Delhi. So only 1 is correct.