By TRH World Desk
Japan and India are set to deepen their strategic partnership with the joint development of AI-powered defence drones, expanded defence technology transfers and stronger semiconductor and critical mineral cooperation ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s India visit.
New Delhi, July 1, 2026 — Japan and India have agreed to advance the joint development of artificial intelligence-powered unmanned aircraft for defence applications, marking a significant expansion of their strategic partnership as both countries seek to counter China’s growing military presence across the Indo-Pacific, according to an exclusive report by The Sankei Shimbun.
The Japanese newspaper reported that the initiative will be one of the key outcomes of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to India from July 1 to 3, during which she is scheduled to hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 2.
According to the report, the two governments will jointly develop a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle capable of autonomous operations using artificial intelligence. The drone will not require a runway and will use AI to assess its surroundings, making it suitable for missions such as military base security and surveillance.
The project is expected to support Japan’s efforts to address personnel shortages in its Self-Defence Forces, which have been exacerbated by the country’s declining birth rate. AI-enabled unmanned systems are increasingly viewed as critical to maintaining operational readiness.
Beyond the drone programme, The Sankei Shimbun reported that Tokyo and New Delhi will expand cooperation under their Defence Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement. Planned initiatives include the export of communication antennas used on Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyers to India, joint production of radar systems, and the sharing of satellite data collected by Japanese commercial operators with Indian government agencies.
The report said the two countries are accelerating defence cooperation because of their shared strategic interest in deterring China’s expanding military activities in the East China Sea, South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Japan continues to regard India as a central partner in advancing its vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Security will be accompanied by deeper economic cooperation during the summit. According to The Sankei Shimbun, both leaders are also expected to discuss collaboration in biogas technologies for compressed natural gas vehicles, while strengthening supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors and other strategic industries, reflecting the broadening scope of the India-Japan partnership.
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