India and Japan have agreed to expand defence cooperation across maritime security, logistics, exercises, naval shipbuilding and defence technology following Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s recent visit to India.
Koizumi held talks with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in addition to calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A joint press statement issued following the meeting of the two defence ministers outlined a broad expansion of the military cooperation between both nations.
The Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) is already scheduled to deploy fighter aircraft to India for the first time as part of the Japan-India air exercise Veer Guardian 26, scheduled for later this year. Future bilateral military exercises are expected to incorporate greater complexity along with the integration of unmanned systems and Special Forces from both countries will also train together.
Existing bilateral exercises include the Japan-India Army exercise Dharma Guardian and the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX). India, Japan and Indonesia also conducted their first trilateral naval passage exercise (PASSEX) in February 2026.
India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation, under which the Indian Navy Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) will increase information sharing on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), while expanding search and rescue (SAR) and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).
The two sides will also explore enhanced cooperation in mine countermeasures, as well as potential joint development in naval shipbuilding and design. Reciprocal logistical support between their armed forces is also being sought, including access to ports and maintenance and repair facilities. A reciprocal ship repair arrangement expected in the near future.
India and Japan are already cooperating on the shipborne Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN), an integrated communications antenna system. A Memorandum of Implementation for the project was signed in November 2024 and represents the first defence equipment transfer project between the two countries.
India and Japan will also convene a Defence Industry Forum and India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) will deepen cooperation on advanced defence technologies.
An India-Japan Working Group will coordinate defence cooperation across the operational, intelligence, equipment, technology and industrial domains. The group is intended to improve coordination in various areas of cooperation and accelerate the implementation of projects agreed by the two governments.
The two countries will further promote defence cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN), including the use of military transport capabilities to move personnel and supplies during natural disasters. The second IPLN tabletop exercise is scheduled to take place at Japan's Ministry of Defense in September.
Both nations will further promote defence cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) including transport of personnel and supplies. The second IPLN tabletop exercise is scheduled to take place in Japan in September.
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