As Japan opens the door to the global arms market, what could be interesting to India?

[Ashwin]

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-opens-door-global-arms-market-with-biggest-export-rule-change-decades-2026-04-21/

IHI, Mitsubishi Heavy to boost production as Japan eases arms export rules

Companies eye capturing overseas demand, investing in new plants and staff expansion

asia.nikkei.com

Japan has many interesting items that could be licensed for production or even work together for export.

For example, US-2 and C-2 aircraft. The production rate is abysmal due to a lack of scale. We can produce at scale, reduce costs, and then make India the base for exports.

What are some other similar items that look interesting for us?

@Parthu @randomradio @Shan @Ankit Kumar @Gautam

 

[lmaoxd]

C-2 would be good but it has has the disadvantage of not being able quickly configure itself into a tanker unlike the C390 and the A400M. with the lack of refueling capability in the IAF, its quite serious. Its the most mature in terms of EW and ELNIT and probably can have a low end AWACS made faster than the A400M and maybe even the C390. good paylaod so should be able to handle the zorawar in ladhak. can land on semi prepared runways so thats also a plus.
The only issue is poor production rates and the fact that we want to buy 12 and produce 48. We dont know the ramp up capacity at the C-2 facility.

We could work together for a future class of frigate post the P17B. unicorn mast alr exists. Could work together for conventional subs and naval shipbuilding especially in modular construction.

GCAP is now a lot easier to join if needed. Still hard but not nearly impossible.

 

[Ashwin]

C-2 would be good but it has has the disadvantage of not being able quickly configure itself into a tanker unlike the C390 and the A400M. with the lack of refueling capability in the IAF, its quite serious. Its the most mature in terms of EW and ELNIT and probably can have a low end AWACS made faster than the A400M and maybe even the C390. good paylaod so should be able to handle the zorawar in ladhak. can land on semi prepared runways so thats also a plus.
The only issue is poor production rates and the fact that we want to buy 12 and produce 48. We dont know the ramp up capacity at the C-2 facility.

None of this is a concern. We already have other other platforms selected for EW/ELINT/AWACS. There is no requirement from the IAF for a transporter to be a tanker. Any transporter can be easily converted or modified into an operational refueler if they are interested. Production will have to be shifted to india. Such acquisitions have a long gestation and production timelines. There is no real urgency. Which is why these are perfect for such a partnership.

There is no real chance for Mogami as we have already chosen another design for their Tier 2 frigate.

 

[YoungWolf]

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-opens-door-global-arms-market-with-biggest-export-rule-change-decades-2026-04-21/

IHI, Mitsubishi Heavy to boost production as Japan eases arms export rules

Companies eye capturing overseas demand, investing in new plants and staff expansion

asia.nikkei.com

Japan has many interesting items that could be licensed for production or even work together for export.

For example, US-2 and C-2 aircraft. The production rate is abysmal due to a lack of scale. We can produce at scale, reduce costs, and then make India the base for exports.

What are some other similar items that look interesting for us?

@Parthu @randomradio @Shan @Ankit Kumar @Gautam

Lithium ion batteries (LIB) for submarines could be a significant area of co-operation. They've had a roughly 10-year head start on the next country/shipbuilder incorporating LIB for their conventional subs. Also, would love to see them participate in the MTA tender, would make things very interesting.

 

[_Anonymous_]

The Japanese have a real chip on their shoulder when it comes to perceived superiority of their products , the mode of mfg , the value of it & so on .

What this means is they'd not be amenable to our terms of pricing ToT etc insisting they mfg the lot or set up mfg under MII under their control insisting we can't absorb technology selling it to us at exhorbitant rates .

The Bullet Train project is a case in point. Let's not build castles in air when we're extremely difficult customers ourselves given our constant ever shifting requirements , painfully slow & cumbersome procurement processes etc .

Best to identify certain key technology & components we can import from them , seek ToT to mfg locally viz - the UNICORN integrated mast system & let things rest .

We're past the stage of nations dictating terms to us , the technology gap is not as wide as it was before & in the future will narrow still further .

 

[randomradio]

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-opens-door-global-arms-market-with-biggest-export-rule-change-decades-2026-04-21/

IHI, Mitsubishi Heavy to boost production as Japan eases arms export rules

Companies eye capturing overseas demand, investing in new plants and staff expansion

asia.nikkei.com

Japan has many interesting items that could be licensed for production or even work together for export.

For example, US-2 and C-2 aircraft. The production rate is abysmal due to a lack of scale. We can produce at scale, reduce costs, and then make India the base for exports.

What are some other similar items that look interesting for us?

@Parthu @randomradio @Shan @Ankit Kumar @Gautam

With the exception of some unique products like US-2 and next gen like GCAP, this is too late for India.

Let's see if C-2 makes it to the MTA now.

Should have made it in time for P-75I, but we got a better deal with Germany. Nothing else in their navy interests us.

The Type 10 MBT was perfect for the Himalayas half a decade ago, but we now have T-90s up there instead. It's still an option, since it's been purpose-built for mountains like Zorawar. Pretty much everything else they have is not an option, we have equivalents or better coming up.

 

[Aniruddha]

Lithium ion batteries (LIB) for submarines could be a significant area of co-operation. They've had a roughly 10-year head start on the next country/shipbuilder incorporating LIB for their conventional subs. Also, would love to see them participate in the MTA tender, would make things very interesting.

If I recall correctly, Mazgaon Dock was also working on some prototypes for Li-ion battery packs for powering the EKM class of submarines.

https://mazagondock.in/English/pages/Lithium-ion-Batteries

 

[Shan]

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/japan-opens-door-global-arms-market-with-biggest-export-rule-change-decades-2026-04-21/

IHI, Mitsubishi Heavy to boost production as Japan eases arms export rules

Companies eye capturing overseas demand, investing in new plants and staff expansion

asia.nikkei.com

Japan has many interesting items that could be licensed for production or even work together for export.

For example, US-2 and C-2 aircraft. The production rate is abysmal due to a lack of scale. We can produce at scale, reduce costs, and then make India the base for exports.

What are some other similar items that look interesting for us?

@Parthu @randomradio @Shan @Ankit Kumar @Gautam

Lithium-Ion Batteries: Japan pioneered the use of lithium-ion batteries in submarines, replacing traditional Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems. (Aspirational)

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): As underwater warfare shifts toward drones, co-developing UUVs for mine countermeasures and submarine tracking is a high-potential area. (Feasible)

Co-developing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites: For real-time tracking of maritime movements in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). (Feasible)

Advanced Transmissions: Japanese tanks utilize state-of-the-art Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) and hydromechanical transmissions. This allows heavy vehicles to accelerate smoothly and maintain high speeds in reverse—a crucial tactical advantage for "shoot-and-scoot" maneuvers. (Feasible). Same goes for higher HP Engines. Collabs are possible for both.

These are certain areas in that can be collaborated on. The transmission and Engine bits can contribute to exports.

There are certain cultural and systemic issues that will need to be addressed before such collabs can proceed. I have worked with the Japanese nationals working in EPC and commercial vehicle sector. They will demand certain things to be changed before serious talks can take place.

There are two forks in the road. 1. Be can export hub for subsystems on scale. 2 - Collaborate and setup JVs for an entire system. Both require different levels of GoI support as well local support from Industry. Option 1. is much more easier. Option 1. involves things like making less critical subsystems for orgs. like MHI.

MTA bit - I am not keen on the C2. My apologies to the C2 fans.

 

[_Anonymous_]

There are two forks in the road. 1. Be can export hub for subsystems on scale. 2 - Collaborate and setup JVs for an entire system. Both require different levels of GoI support as well local support from Industry. Option 1. is much more easier. Option 1. involves things like making less critical subsystems for orgs. like MHI.

Maybe Option 1 can create a pathway for Option 2 . I'm a huge advocate for getting in as many RoK & Japanese investments with technology to set up shop in India.

With their TFR being what it is & the looming war over Taiwan the entire region of East Asia will go up in flames. I don't see how the industrial centres in Japan will escape destruction.

It's going to be even worse for RoK most of whose population & industrial centers are in close proximity to the border including Seoul which practically sits on the DMZ.

Let them in , absorb as much technology as we can & once we're through with them , bod them bye. They'd be in no position to bargain in the future.

 

[Speedster1]

Japanese firms like MHI and KHI can help bring our shipbuilding sector on par with global standards. SoKo's Hanwha is actively tying up with Indian pvt and PSU yards but the Japs have been missing from the scene.

On the military side, Japan may be more willing to cooperate on non-lethal systems with us, imo. Case in point: US-2, Unicorn vs Soryu/Taigei SSK.

Perhaps collaboration on FPS-3 and FPS-5 radars, atomic clocks for NAVIC sats based on their QZSS satnav system could be an option, considering the threat we face from common enemy China.

 

[Kiduva21]

IMO, Japan is very good at imaging sensors mostly commercial but their military once should also be very good. Getting those technologies will be very help full for drones, PGMs, Night vision and even satellites.

 

[Shan]

Maybe Option 1 can create a pathway for Option 2 . I'm a huge advocate for getting in as many RoK & Japanese investments with technology to set up shop in India.

That is a possibility. If the negotiations are handled well and there is potential, it could happen. All I can say is that the GoI has to make an effort. If the DM and MEA have even an iota of long term vision, they would try to get a piece of the pie.

 

[spice]

Japan looks to Australia, India to sustain defence readiness

Tokyo is seeking to mitigate risks linked to potential US munitions shortages and maintain credible deterrence, analysts say.

www.scmp.com

One possible area of Japan-India cooperation, according to Inoue, is in developing drones, particularly systems designed to protect military bases. “This could become one of the practical outcomes of the visit.”

Jets could be another area of interest.

Japan plans to dispatch F-2 fighter jets to India for the first time to participate in a joint exercise, according to Japanese media reports citing government sources. Both countries conducted their first bilateral fighter air defence drill in Japan in 2023, which also featured the F-2 jets.

“As it is unlikely that India will be buying F-35s, F-2s may possibly attract India’s interest for the model’s versatile ability as a fighter-attack plane,” Sato said.

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Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi meets Indian Navy top brass in Mumbai - The Tribune

Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday and met top Indian Navy officials. He is scheduled to travel to New Delhi and meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday.

www.tribuneindia.com

The two ministers will exchange views on deeper maritime security cooperation and closer defence equipment and technology collaboration under the ‘Make-in-India’ framework, following Japan’s revision of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, the Ministry of Defence said.

A source explained the revision of the ‘Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology’, saying that in April, Japan ended six decades of self-imposed restrictions on selling and sharing military technology, opening up possibilities for India, its long-standing partner, on aero-engines and marine engines.

In the past decade, there have been two failed military equipment proposals — one on making conventional submarines and another on a sea-plane. Now, the sea-plane is back in focus.

In January this year, the Ministry of Defence asked international companies to supply four specialised amphibious planes that can land and take off from the sea. The MoD wants to take four amphibious aircraft on lease for a period of four years for the Indian Navy.

Japanese ShinMaywa Industries makes a plane called ‘US-2’, which is in contention for the leasing.

 

[Speedster1]

If anything, we should try to get access to Japanese FRP hull tech for our stalled MCMV prog. Italy and SoKo seem to be in no mood to give us ToT. We need to look for other options.

 

[lmaoxd]

If anything, we should try to get access to Japanese FRP hull tech for our stalled MCMV prog. Italy and SoKo seem to be in no mood to give us ToT. We need to look for other options.

L&T ties up with French firm for minesweeper tech, India's wait for crucial vessels continues 20 yrs on

Indian Navy had first moved a proposal to make 12 minesweepers in 2005 but the project never fructified and India decommissioned its last specialised vessel in 2019.

theprint.in

 

[jmaxwell_]

Other than providing labor and access to India's huge market, some thoughts:
- Given the Japan/China dynamic, why hasn't India taken off as an alternative to China for the "cheaper tier" Japanese product manufacturing? GoI, and definitely state/municipal govts. must do better to attract Japanese businesses to relocate from China. Sony-branded made in India phones anyone?
- India can be a key mediator between Russia/Japan... something the Japanese may be thinking about.
- For military, it will mostly come down to dual-use subcomponent JVs: miniature optics and lithography, carbon fiber, green hydrogen** (aka AIP) and precision robotics.

**my family had a Toyota Mirai when they first came out, Japan has long been betting on H2 over solar

 

[Optimist]

Perhaps a laser or hypersonic missile?​

Australia and Japan advance high-energy laser capability with successful Boobook trials​

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles MP and Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi during a joint press conference in Canberra on 18 August 2026.

Australia and Japan have completed field trials of a jointly developed high-energy laser in South Australia, marking a major milestone in bilateral defence technology cooperation and opening a pathway towards the collaborative development of advanced directed-energy capabilities.

Australia and Japan have completed successful field trials of a co-developed high-energy laser system in South Australia, marking a significant milestone in the two countries’ rapidly expanding defence industrial relationship.

Australia and Japan advance high-energy laser capability with successful Boobook trials

Australia and Japan have completed field trials of a jointly developed high-energy laser in South Australia, marking a major milestone in bilateral defence technology cooperation and opening a pathway towards the collaborative development of advanced directed-energy capabilities.

www.defenceconnect.com.au

​

Japan to test hypersonic missiles in Australia under new deal

Japan will conduct tests of hypersonic missiles and other projectiles on Australian soil, the two countries' defense ministers said on Tuesday as they deepened military cooperation, including with a co-developed laser system. Richard Marles said alongside his counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in...

japantoday.com

Japan to test hypersonic missiles in Australia under new deal​

SYDNEY
Japan will conduct tests of hypersonic missiles and other projectiles on Australian soil, the two countries' defense ministers said on Tuesday as they deepened military cooperation, including with a co-developed laser system.

Richard Marles said alongside his counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in Canberra that the deal would see a "better and enhanced arrangement between Australia and Japan for Japan's use of our missile ranges over the course of the next decade".

"We have spoken previously about Australia being able to provide strategic depth to Japan across a range of areas, but one of them is the use of our ranges," Marles said.

 

[Speedster1]

L&T ties up with French firm for minesweeper tech, India's wait for crucial vessels continues 20 yrs on

Indian Navy had first moved a proposal to make 12 minesweepers in 2005 but the project never fructified and India decommissioned its last specialised vessel in 2019.

theprint.in

That's for the onboard mission system. I'm talking about FRP hull fabrication tech which is closely guarded by EU and Korean yards.

Japan has been building a new class of MCMV, using home-grown FRP tech lately. Might be worth a look.

VESSEL REVIEW | JS Noumi – FRP-hulled minesweeper enters service with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) recently commissioned a new mine countermeasures (MCM) vessel into service.JS Noumi (のうみ), which has been named af

www.bairdmaritime.com

They may not to averse to ToT given that the INs actual requirement is for upto 24 units.