Unicorn Naval Stealth Antenna System under the first joint defense technology development plan of India and Japan

India and Japan have announced to jointly launch the first defense technology development project. Under this initiative, both the countries will jointly develop an advanced naval stealth antenna system named ‘UNICORN’ (Unified Complex Radio Antenna – UNICORN). The objective of this project is to strengthen the communication capability, electronic warfare capability and stealth (low radar detection) technology of the warships of the Indian Navy.

This agreement is being seen as a new phase of India-Japan strategic partnership. According to experts, this project will strengthen the defense cooperation and maritime security structure between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Unicorn is a modern integrated naval radio antenna system, also known as the NORA-50 Integrated Mast. In conventional warships, separate communication and sensor antennas are installed openly, due to which the radar cross section of the ship increases. Unicorn technology integrates all these antennas and electronic systems within a special protective structure (Radome).

As a result, the external appearance of the warship becomes more streamlined and its detection on radar is reduced. Low radar detection can make it more challenging for a potential adversary to locate a ship and track its movements.

The Unicorn system is not limited to stealth technology only. Many important naval and communication systems work together in it. These include Tactical Data Link, Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN), advanced communication systems, IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM).

With the help of these technologies, warships can maintain secure communications, identify friend and foe and become capable of analyzing electronic signals.

The Unicorn system has been jointly developed by Japan’s NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo KK and The Yokohama Rubber Company. Currently this technology is being used in the modern Mogami-class stealth frigates of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Japan has included several warships of this series in its navy and construction of additional ships is underway.

Under this project, the responsibility of co-production of Unicorn system in India will be handed over to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Japan will provide advanced design and technical expertise, while India will play a key role in system manufacturing, integration and local manufacturing. This initiative is considered important in strengthening India’s defense production capacity and also in promoting the local defense industry.

The foundation of this project was laid by the Memorandum of Implementation signed between the two countries in November 2024. Earlier, a political consensus was reached in this direction during the India-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting to be held in the year 2022. Now with this joint development project, defense technology sharing cooperation between the two countries is taking a practical form.

The Indo-Pacific region has currently become the main center of global strategic competition. At such a time, both India and Japan are emphasizing on maritime security, free navigation and strengthening the rules-based international system. According to experts, advanced technology like Unicorn will modernize the operational capability, surveillance system and electronic warfare preparedness of the Indian Navy.