New Delhi, Februar 8. The defence cooperation & relationship between India & Israel has evolved over time – from being an importer of Israeli tech and equipment, Indian companies are now collaborating with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on a variety of ventures.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Heron MK II, a state-of-the-art UAV that can fly at a height of 35,000 feet, cover a radius of 1000 km, see through dense clouds, work in bad weather and fly for 45 hours.
MK II can also be used for search and rescue operations.
Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Last year, the Indian Army had also taken on lease Heron TPs, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for all-weather missions, from IAI.
Heron TP drones are one of the two drones made in Israel that can be armed if needed.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in 2017, the IAI had signed an agreement with Elcom Systems and Dynamatic Technologies for the manufacture of UAVs in India.
The IAI and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a joint venture whereby IAI will not only offer UAVs to India but also help HAL in manufacturing them in India.
HAL has signed a memorandum of understanding with IAI to convert civil passenger aircraft into a multi-mission tanker transport (MMTT) for air refuelling with cargo and transport capabilities.
The MoU also covers conversion of passenger planes into freighter aircraft.
Israel has been upgrading India’s aircraft systems such as MiG 21s;
Israel is also cooperating on developing Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) with Indian aeronautic giants.
Both government organisations and private industries are committed to co-developing defence systems.
New Delhi is also sourcing Firefly loitering ammunition, Spike anti-tank guided missiles, and Spice guidance kits from Tel Aviv.
Israel Aerospace Industries and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have co-developed a medium-range surface-to-air-missile (MRSAM), named as BARAK 8 Air defence system.
India imports critical defence technologies from Israel such as Searcher, a multi-mission tactical UAV;
Air defence systems such as SPYDER-MR; Beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) such as Python-5, Derby, etc.
Indian armed forces use Israeli Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems).
Military-to-military engagements including joint exercises and defence industry collaboration are on the upsurge.
India recently participated in the Blue Flag training event with a C-130J special operations aircraft and Garud commandos.
There is cooperation on security issues, including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
Continuing the cooperation in defence sector, Israel Aerospace Industries will sign a series of Memorandums of Understanding with Indian defence contractors at an Indian defence exhibition during Aero India 2023.
The Aero India 2023 show, India’s largest defence exhibition, begins on Monday, 13 February at the Yelahanka Airforce Base in Bangalore in southern India.
The biannual event brings together leading figures in the aviation industry with the business, defence, and government sectors to strike deals and explore areas of cooperation among the pavilions where businesses showcase their products.
The IAI will display a number of its aerial drones, a mini communications satellite, a supersonic, long-range air-ground assault rocket, and an electronic warfare system designed to detect and disrupt ground and airborne threats among other items.
Israeli defence exports to India are reportedly USD 1.5 billion- USD 2 billion annually. The IAI has provided the Indian Armed Forces with air and missile defence systems, satellites, radars, unmanned aerial systems, and training platforms.
The IAI is also working with Indian authorities to develop and produce military technologies for use in the air, land, and sea.
“We are very excited to be back in India for Aero India, which brings together some of our leading partners in the defence sector,” said IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy in a statement
“We have been working closely with the Indian defence industry for more than 30 years and we look forward to further collaboration following the exhibition. We look forward to meeting our friends and partners while exhibiting our cutting-edge technologies to the Indian, Asian, and global markets during this distinguished exhibition.”
