Indian Navy Vice Chief Inspects Japan’s Mogami-Class Stealth Frigate as India-Japan Shipbuilding Cooperation Expands

Indian Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar visited Japan and inspected the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Mogami-class stealth frigate JS Mogami, marking another step in expanding bilateral cooperation in naval shipbuilding, mine countermeasures and maritime technology.

The visit was confirmed in a statement attributed to the Embassy of India in Japan and reported by Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) on October 9, 2026. During his engagements, Vice Admiral Kochhar held discussions with senior Japanese military officials on strengthening naval cooperation and exploring opportunities for joint development under India’s Make in India initiative.

The visit follows the India-Japan Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on August 20, 2026, when both countries agreed to explore cooperation in warship design, maritime security and mine countermeasure technologies. Japan’s Ministry of Defense officially documented these commitments in the joint statement issued after the meeting.

Vice Admiral Kochhar Meets Senior Japanese Naval and Defence Officials

During his visit, Vice Admiral Kochhar held bilateral consultations with Vice Admiral Yasuhiro Kunimi, Vice Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and Lieutenant General Norimichi Shirakawa, Vice Chief of Staff of Japan’s Joint Staff.

According to the Indian Embassy’s statement cited by IANS, the discussions focused on strengthening professional military engagement and identifying opportunities for closer defence cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian Navy Vice Chief also met Rear Admiral Toshiyuki Hirata of the JMSDF. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close naval collaboration and expanding institutional exchanges.

Vice Admiral Kochhar separately held discussions with India’s Ambassador to Japan, Nagma Mallick, at the Indian Embassy. The engagements reflected the growing importance of maritime cooperation within the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Indian Navy Vice Chief Visits JS Mogami Stealth Frigate

A significant part of the visit was Vice Admiral Kochhar’s inspection of JS Mogami, the lead vessel of Japan’s Mogami-class multi-role frigates.

During the ship visit, he met Vice Admiral Izuru Ikeuchi, Commander of the JMSDF Fleet Surface Force, and toured the vessel’s facilities.

The Mogami class represents Japan’s approach to developing modern surface combatants that combine stealth characteristics, automation and multi-mission capabilities within a relatively compact warship.

The inspection provided an opportunity for professional engagement with Japanese naval personnel and exposure to the design philosophy of the JMSDF’s modern frigate programme.

The Indian Embassy’s reported statement did not announce an agreement for India to acquire the Mogami class or construct the frigates domestically. The ship visit took place within the broader framework of bilateral naval cooperation.

Mogami-Class Frigate Combines Stealth, Automation and Multiple Naval Roles

The Mogami class is a modern Japanese frigate designed for maritime surveillance, surface warfare, anti-submarine operations and mine countermeasures.

According to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s official technical specifications, the vessel has a standard displacement of approximately 3,900 tonnes, a length of 133 metres and a beam of 16.3 metres.

It uses a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, known as CODAG, developing approximately 70,000 metric horsepower. The configuration enables a maximum speed of around 30 knots.

A distinctive feature of the class is its relatively small crew requirement. Despite its size and operational capabilities, the vessel operates with approximately 90 personnel, reflecting Japan’s emphasis on automation and reduced manpower requirements.

The frigate incorporates a streamlined superstructure and low-observable design features intended to reduce its radar signature. Its integrated ship systems support efficient operation across different maritime missions.

These characteristics make the Mogami class relevant to naval discussions concerning automation, operational efficiency and the design of future surface combatants.

Mogami Frigate Carries Advanced Weapons and Underwater Systems

The JMSDF’s official equipment information identifies several major weapons and mission systems aboard the Mogami class.

Its principal armament includes a 127 mm naval gun, SeaRAM close-in air defence system, anti-ship missile equipment and remotely operated machine guns. The class also incorporates vertical launch system equipment as part of its listed configuration.

For anti-submarine operations, the ship is equipped with a variable-depth sonar and towed-array sonar system. These sensors support underwater detection and tracking across different operating conditions.

The frigate is designed to operate a naval helicopter, extending its surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities beyond the immediate range of shipboard sensors.

However, its mine countermeasure equipment is among the features that distinguish the class from conventional surface combatants.

Mine Countermeasure Technology Offers Important Area for Cooperation

The Mogami class incorporates dedicated mine warfare capabilities, including mine countermeasure sonar, an unmanned underwater vehicle and an unmanned surface vessel.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force also lists mine-laying equipment among the ship’s capabilities.

Unmanned systems allow naval forces to investigate potentially dangerous underwater areas while limiting the exposure of personnel and larger warships to naval mines.

Mine countermeasure operations are important for maintaining access to ports, naval bases, shipping routes and strategically significant maritime passages. Modern naval mines can threaten both military and commercial vessels, making detection, classification and clearance essential elements of maritime security.

Japan has developed considerable experience in mine countermeasure operations, supported by specialised vessels, sensors and underwater technologies.

For India, cooperation in this field offers opportunities to examine advanced detection systems, unmanned platforms and operational practices relevant to mine warfare.

India and Japan Agree to Explore Joint Warship Design and Development

The August 20, 2026, India-Japan Defence Ministers’ Meeting established an important policy framework for expanding naval industrial cooperation.

During the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi agreed to explore joint development in naval shipbuilding and design.

According to the official joint statement issued by Japan’s Ministry of Defense, both countries intend to combine Japan’s technological expertise with India’s shipbuilding and manufacturing capabilities.

The ministers also agreed to deepen discussions on Japan’s potential use of Indian production facilities under the Make in India framework.

This approach creates opportunities for cooperation in naval engineering, ship systems, specialised equipment and advanced manufacturing technologies.

India already possesses a substantial domestic warship construction ecosystem, supported by public sector shipyards and private manufacturers. Collaboration with Japanese companies could broaden this industrial network through specialised technologies and engineering partnerships.

The August agreement establishes the intention to explore such opportunities rather than a final decision on any specific warship construction programme.

New Maritime Security Agreement Strengthens Naval Cooperation

India and Japan also signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation during the August 2026 defence ministers’ meeting.

The agreement provides a framework for expanding coordination between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in several operational areas.

These include maritime domain awareness, information sharing, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Both countries agreed to strengthen the protection of sea lines of communication through naval ship visits, joint exercises, personnel exchanges and cooperation in maintenance and logistical support.

The ministers also discussed reciprocal access to ship repair facilities and expressed their intention to advance arrangements supporting naval maintenance cooperation.

Such measures can improve the ability of Indian and Japanese naval units to operate together during exercises, extended deployments and maritime security missions.

Make in India Could Benefit from Japanese Naval Technologies

India’s domestic naval shipbuilding programme has expanded considerably through the construction of destroyers, frigates, aircraft carriers, submarines and specialised support vessels.

Japanese cooperation could complement these capabilities in areas where advanced ship systems, automation and unmanned technologies are becoming increasingly important.

The Mogami class demonstrates how integrated systems and automation can reduce crew requirements while retaining multiple operational capabilities.

For Indian shipbuilders, exposure to such technologies offers opportunities to examine new approaches to vessel design, onboard systems integration and efficient ship operation.

Joint development could also create industrial opportunities in sensors, electrical systems, propulsion integration, specialised materials and underwater technologies.

These possibilities remain subjects for bilateral discussions. Neither government has announced a specific Mogami-class acquisition programme or an agreement to manufacture the frigate in India.

UNICORN Naval Communication System Marks Existing Defence Technology Cooperation

India and Japan have already identified the UNICORN integrated naval communication antenna system as an important project under their defence technology partnership.

During their August 2026 meeting, the two defence ministers described the system as the first defence equipment transfer project between the countries.

UNICORN integrates multiple communication antennas into a consolidated arrangement intended to improve communication capabilities while reducing the radar signature associated with conventional antenna installations.

The project illustrates an area of cooperation involving specialised naval technology rather than complete warship acquisition.

Both governments have committed to advancing the project and identifying additional opportunities for cooperation in defence equipment and technology.

The ministers also agreed to strengthen research collaboration between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA).

India-Japan Naval Partnership Gains Greater Strategic Depth

India and Japan maintain regular military engagements through bilateral naval exercises, professional exchanges and maritime security discussions.

The two countries share an interest in protecting international shipping routes, strengthening maritime domain awareness and maintaining stability across the Indo-Pacific.

Their naval relationship is supported by the Japan-India Maritime Exercise, commonly known as JIMEX, which provides opportunities for both forces to improve operational coordination.

The August 2026 defence ministers’ meeting also established plans for a working group covering operational cooperation, intelligence, defence equipment, technology and industrial collaboration.

Vice Admiral Kochhar’s visit to Japan builds on these institutional arrangements through direct engagement with Japanese naval leadership and exposure to modern warship technologies.

India and Japan Advance Cooperation in Future Naval Technologies

The Indian Navy Vice Chief’s visit to JS Mogami highlights the increasing importance of advanced shipbuilding, automation and mine countermeasure technologies in India-Japan defence relations.

The official August 2026 commitments provide a foundation for exploring joint naval design, defence manufacturing and technology cooperation. The October visit adds further momentum through professional discussions and direct engagement with Japanese naval capabilities.

India’s growing naval manufacturing expertise and Japan’s advanced maritime technologies offer complementary strengths for future industrial cooperation. Their expanding partnership supports indigenous capability development, stronger maritime security and deeper defence collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.

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References

1. Embassy of India in Japan — October 9, 2026. Statement on Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar’s visit to Japan, bilateral consultations with Japanese military officials and inspection of JS Mogami, as quoted by IANS.
2. Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) — October 9, 2026. Navy Vice Chief Visits Japan to Boost Cooperation in Shipbuilding, Mine Countermeasures.
   https://ianslive.in/navy-vice-chief-visits-japan-to-boost-cooperation-in-shipbuilding-mine-countermeasures–20261009182637
3. Japan Ministry of Defense — August 20, 2026. Japan-India Joint Press Statement. Official agreement covering maritime security, mine countermeasures, joint naval shipbuilding, Make in India cooperation and defence technology development.
   https://www.mod.go.jp/en/article/2026/08/d53ab5504adee3c85a14df37a5b7e3108fa885e8.html
4. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force — Official Equipment Specifications. Mogami-Class Frigate (FFM). Technical information covering displacement, propulsion, weapons, crew complement and mine countermeasure systems.
   https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/equipment/ships/ffm/mogami/

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