India’s Israel arm(s)
India is Israel's largest purchaser of arms and equipment, with Israeli total defence equipment exports to India reaching $10 billion since 1997.
Both sides keep exact figures on defence sales a secret.
Calling India an "intimate partner" in its aim to protect and defend its citizens, Israeli ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz has offered its latest Iron Dome missile defence technology which recently thwarted a massive rocket attack on half of its population.
In early December, however, an Israeli delegation is understood to have held extensive talks with the Indian defence ministry and offered the David’s Sling than in the Iron Dome, which is an air defence missile in the short-range -- 250 km class.
Sixty percent of India's arms purchases still come from Russia but it has begun to look further afield in recent years as it seeks to match its growing economic might with military power, and warily eyes its giant neighbour China. The rising cost of spare parts for Russian equipment soaring over 300 percent has increased Israel's market presence. Some analysts predict that Israel could soon overtake Russia as India's primary defence supplier. India has had an expansive defence partnership with Russia, with the latter notching up military sales well over $35 billion since the 1960s, leading to over 60% of equipment
