Mogami Offer Signals Deepening India-Japan Defence Ties

Japan's offer of its top-of-the-line Mogami class frigates is part of Tokyo's efforts to have closer defence ties with New Delhi. Japan, highly-placed officials said, "have offered the design of the frigate to India. The warship can be made here, in an Indian shipyard, with the Japanese providing some of the material." The first Mogami class frigate joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force only in 2022, and these 4,000+ ton frigates, each one costing roughly $500 million, are armed with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles and torpedoes. The Japanese offer of a major weapon system, and to go with it, co-production, is a notable first, but it is merely a part of a complete plan for closer defence ties, keeping in mind the fragile international

security environment. There is, of course, China's aggression in the East and South China Seas and also, uncertainty about the USA and its relationship with its allies, both in Europe and East Asia.

* Besides the Mogami class warships, Tokyo has also suggested that India and Japan jointly design frigates to be built (probably in India) used by the Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force. * The mechanism for information sharing is also being improved, sources said.* Cooperation in the space sector is a possibility. There is talk of joint development of ISR or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, crucial for modern warfare.*Joint work in the cybersecurity area is also an option. Both countries have strong capabilities and can benefit from each other.

* The two countries may also work together on combat management systems, which identify threats and find ways, using different weapons to target and destroy them. Japan and India have a special, strategic partnership, and are part of the QUAD, along with the United States of America and Australia. The QUAD is not a military alliance, but all four countries are also part of Malabar, the annual naval exercise.