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India-Japan Defence Cooperation

PYQs

7

Articles

1

Momentum

19

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This partnership exemplifies India's evolving strategic alignments, its role in the Indo-Pacific security framework, efforts towards defence indigenization, and the dynamics of bilateral relations with key global powers.

India and Japan have been steadily enhancing their defence cooperation, moving from institutional dialogues to concrete operational capabilities, driven by shared strategic interests in maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. This partnership is crucial for regional stability and security.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Operational Focus

Emphasis on enhancing operational capability, information sharing (Maritime Domain Awareness), and interoperability between forces.

Defence Industrial Collaboration

Exploration of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, leveraging Japanese technological expertise with Indian production capabilities (Make in India).

Technology Transfer

Agreement on the transfer of Japan’s UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, marking a significant defence equipment transfer.

Joint Exercises

Increased complexity of joint military exercises (e.g., Veer Guardian for air forces), integrating unmanned systems, and cooperation in special operations.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Bharat Electronics LimitedCo-develops unicorn
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)Deepens cooperation with japan's atla
Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA)Deepens cooperation with drdo
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Shift from institutional to operational defence ties.
  • Key areas: Maritime Domain Awareness, naval shipbuilding, tech transfer.
  • UNICORN system: first defence equipment transfer.
  • Joint exercises (Veer Guardian) increasing complexity.
  • Underpins Indo-Pacific security and India's defence self-reliance.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question
2019Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

International RelationsOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

International RelationsOpen question
2016Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

International RelationsOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

International Relations
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

Open question
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

India-Japan defence cooperation breaks new ground

09 Sep 2026 · India-Japan defence cooperation is deepening, transitioning from strategic convergence to tangible operational and industrial collaboration, vital for Indo-Pacific security, India's defence capabilities, and fostering a resilient regional architecture.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

India-Japan Defence Cooperation

Often confused with

Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)

Open notesOften confused with

Indigenous Defence Manufacturing and Aerospace Technology Development

Open notesOften confused with

Regional Security Dynamics in East Asia

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 7 linked questions on India-Japan Defence Cooperation in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on India-Japan Defence Cooperation

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

2017·International Relations
Solve

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

2019·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

2024·International Relations
Solve

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

2026·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

2016·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

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