Japan has proposed one of its most ambitious defence partnerships with India by offering local production of the Mogami-class stealth frigate under the Make in India programme. According to multiple reports, Tokyo is prepared to share the warship's design and support construction in Indian shipyards, marking a major shift in Japan's defence export policy. While neither government has formally announced an agreement, the proposal has drawn attention because of its potential impact on India's naval modernisation and regional security.<h2>Why the Mogami-class matters</h2>The Mogami-class is among the newest multi-role frigates operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force. Designed with stealth features, the warship has a reduced radar signature and can carry out anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, mine countermeasures and maritime security missions.&nbsp;One of its biggest strengths is automation. Unlike many modern warships that require large crews, the Mogami-class can operate with around 90 personnel, reducing manpower requirements while maintaining advanced combat capability. Reports also say the vessel can exceed 30 knots and carries modern sensors, missiles and sonar systems.<h2>Why Japan's offer is significant</h2>Japan has traditionally maintained strict controls on defence exports. Although Tokyo relaxed some of those restrictions over the past decade, offering the design and possible local production of an advanced frontline warship represents a major step in defence cooperation.For India, the proposal aligns closely with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, which aim to increase domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. Building the frigates locally could also strengthen India's shipbuilding industry and create opportunities for technology transfer.&nbsp;With this partnership, the Indian Navy could gain faster access to a modern stealth frigate platform while retaining the flexibility to integrate some indigenous systems and weapons in the future. Defence analysts believe the partnership could also improve interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force during joint exercises and maritime operations in the Indo-Pacific. As both countries continue to deepen security cooperation through the Quad grouping, stronger naval capabilities are becoming increasingly important. The proposal also comes at a time when regional maritime competition is intensifying. A stronger India-Japan defence partnership could therefore have implications beyond shipbuilding alone.&nbsp;The reported offer highlights the growing strategic relationship between India and Japan. If finalised, it could become one of the largest defence-industrial collaborations between the two countries and further strengthen India's efforts to build advanced military platforms at home.

Japan has offered India the chance to co-produce its advanced Mogami-class stealth frigates under Make in India. This will strengthen India's naval capabilities, deepen defence ties with Japan and boost domestic warship manufacturing.

Japan has proposed one of its most ambitious defence partnerships with India by offering local production of the Mogami-class stealth frigate under the Make in India programme. According to multiple reports, Tokyo is prepared to share the warship's design and support construction in Indian shipyards, marking a major shift in Japan's defence export policy. While neither government has formally announced an agreement, the proposal has drawn attention because of its potential impact on India's naval modernisation and regional security. Why the Mogami-class matters The Mogami-class is among the newest multi-role frigates operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force. Designed with stealth features, the warship has a reduced radar signature and can carry out anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, mine countermeasures and maritime security missions. One of its biggest strengths is automation. Unlike many modern warships that require large crews, the Mogami-class can operate with around 90 personnel, reducing manpower requirements while maintaining advanced combat capability. Reports also say the vessel can exceed 30 knots and carries modern sensors, missiles and sonar systems. Why Japan's offer is significant Japan has traditionally maintained strict controls on defence exports. Although Tokyo relaxed some of those restrictions over the past decade, offering the design and possible local production of an advanced frontline warship represents a major step in defence cooperation. For India, the proposal aligns closely with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, which aim to increase domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. Building the frigates locally could also strengthen India's shipbuilding industry and create opportunities for technology transfer. With this partnership, the Indian Navy could gain faster access to a modern stealth frigate platform while retaining the flexibility to integrate some indigenous systems and weapons in the future. Defence analysts believe the partnership could also improve interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force during joint exercises and maritime operations in the Indo-Pacific. As both countries continue to deepen security cooperation through the Quad grouping, stronger naval capabilities are becoming increasingly important. The proposal also comes at a time when regional maritime competition is intensifying. A stronger India-Japan defence partnership could therefore have implications beyond shipbuilding alone. The reported offer highlights the growing strategic relationship between India and Japan. If finalised, it could become one of the largest defence-industrial collaborations between the two countries and further strengthen India's efforts to build advanced military platforms at home.

Japan has offered India the chance to co-produce its advanced Mogami-class stealth frigates under Make in India. This will strengthen India's naval capabilities, deepen defence ties with Japan and boost domestic warship manufacturing.

The Mogami-class offer: Japan pitches stealth-frigate co-production under Make in India

Norway has signed a $13.51 billion deal with the UK to acquire British-made frigates, marking one of the largest defence agreements between the two nations and boosting naval cooperation in Europe.

UK-Norway strike landmark deal: British frigates chosen amid rising Arctic tensions

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh commissioned two cutting-edge Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at a grand ceremony in Andhra Pradesh. Designed with advanced stealth features, these warships mark a major leap in India’s indigenous shipbuilding and maritime defense capabilities.

Rajnath Singh commissions stealth frigates Udaygiri & Himgiri | India's twin frigates 

The Indian Navy has commissioned two advanced stealth frigates—INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri—under Project 17A, in a historic ceremony at the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam on August 26, 2025.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the event, marking the first time two frontline warships built at different Indian shipyards were commissioned simultaneously. INS Udaygiri was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Mumbai, and INS Himgiri by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

Both frigates are equipped with state-of-the-art stealth features, weapons systems, and sensors, and were designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB). Udaygiri is the 100th warship designed by the bureau, symbolizing India's growing defence self-reliance.

India commissions two state-of-the-art stealth frigates in its fleet

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