Japan-India Defence Industry Dialogue

Summary

This year marks the 70th anniversary of political relations between Japan and India in the modern era. Trade and diplomatic ties have grown substantially since the foundational “Global Partnership between Japan and India” in the year 2000.

More recently this momentum has been driven by security issues facing democracies in the Indo-Pacific region. These initiatives are currently in progress:

• Agreement concerning the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer
• Joint Working Group on Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation (JWG-DETC)
• Cooperative Research on Augmentation Technology for UGV / Robotics
• Japan-India Cyber Dialogue to review policy and strategic planning for security
• MOU’s regarding space cooperation for surveillance and situational awareness

Notably, a unique agreement for reciprocal provision of supplies and services between Japan and India will drive closer military cooperation and contribute to security in the Indo-Pacific. The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and India’s military was signed in September 2020.

As India encourages the private sector to engage in the defense sector, primed by public support and government programs, Japan is revising its National Security Strategy to stimulate the industrial base and focus on emerging technologies. The challenge is to align projects and people, build trust and partnerships for mutual benefit.

Both countries are determined to build local capacity, but the challenge is how they can manage to work together. This Defense Industry Dialogue will explore B2B commercial opportunities, introduce the decision-makers, and foster partnerships in co-development and co-production of defense equipment in both countries.

Agenda

Panel Discussion