Israel has consistently been among the top four arms suppliers to India for nearly two decades, with annual military sales worth approximately US$1 billion. The Indian defence industry is also growing stronger, necessitating the establishment of more research and development, co-development, and co-production projects. This synergy aligns with the broader objective of self-reliance in defence production.
The utilization of Israeli weaponry by the Indian armed forces has been a subject of growing importance and strategic significance. This collaboration between India and Israel in the realm of defence has been steadily but unobtrusively evolving for several years now. The Indian armed forces have strategically raised, meticulously trained, and efficiently maintained specialized commando units.
These units are adept at undertaking a diverse array of operations, including surgical strikes, anti-hijacking, and hostage rescues, among others. A defining feature of these units is their reliance on the Israeli Tavor assault rifle, a weapon system that has been in active service since around 2006 and is now being domestically manufactured in India.
The Tavor assault rifle is not the sole Israeli weapon employed by India’s commando units; it is complemented by other equally vital equipment such as the Galil, Negev, and the B-300 anti-tank rocket launcher. This diverse range of weaponry provides India’s commando units with a strategic edge in executing their missions effectively and with precision.
Beyond infantry-based weaponry, the Indian Air Force has incorporated six Israeli Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) units, which are deployed on Il-76 aircraft. These aircraft serve as airborne command posts and are equipped with powerful radars capable of detecting enemy missiles and aircraft within a range of over 500 kilometers
Naval capabilities have also witnessed a boost through the adoption of long-range surface-to-air missile systems, which are based on the Israeli Barak-8 technology. These systems are designed for deployment on naval ships, strengthening India’s maritime security.
The aerial domain has seen the integration of Heron and Searcher unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. Additionally, the acquisition of the Harpy drone enhances India’s capability to neutralize enemy targets effectively.
The land forces are not to be left behind in this modernization drive. The Indian army is in the process of procuring more than 8000 Spike anti-tank guided missiles, along with 320 launchers for infantry battalions. This acquisition significantly enhances the army’s firepower and anti-tank capabilities.
What further distinguishes this partnership is the collaboration between prominent Israeli weapons developers and manufacturers and Indian private sector companies through joint ventures. One notable partnership involves Rafael, which has joined forces with India’s Reliance Defence and the Kalyani Group. Together, they aim to manufacture remote weapon systems, advanced armour solutions, surveillance balloons, and air defence systems within India. Such initiatives not only strengthen India’s defence capabilities but also contribute to the ‘Make in India’ campaign, aimed at bolstering indigenous production.
Similarly, Adani Enterprises and Israel’s Elbit have formed a partnership to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles in India. This collaboration signifies a deeper level of cooperation, particularly in the high-tech domain.
Numerous Indian companies, including Taneja Aerospace and Dynamic Technologies, are also partnering with Israel Aerospace Industries, reinforcing the broader commitment to advancing indigenous production and innovation.
The Indian government is acutely aware of the sluggish pace of indigenization within the defence sector. The hope is that the Israeli collaboration with the private sector will invigorate the ‘Make in India’ initiative, leading to greater self-reliance and reduced dependence on foreign imports.
Looking ahead, India and Israel are poised to elevate their already expansive defence partnership by engaging in co-development and co-production projects for cutting-edge weapon systems. The intention is to not only meet India’s defence requirements but also to export these advanced systems to other friendly nations.
In 2020, a new sub-group was established to facilitate joint projects under the overarching joint working group on defence cooperation. This sub-working group focuses on technology transfer, co-development, co-production, technology security, Artificial Intelligence, innovation, and joint exports to third countries. These initiatives reflect a concerted effort to enhance defence ties, emphasizing cooperation in technological advancements and production capabilities.
Israel’s expertise in missiles, sensors, cyber-security, and various defence sub-systems is of immense value to India. This partnership gains further significance as the Indian armed forces continue to integrate the next-generation Barak-8 surface-to-air missile systems under three joint projects between the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), representing an investment worth over Rs 30,000 crore.
Israeli companies such as IAI, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Elbit, and Elta Systems have also formed seven joint ventures with Indian counterparts. These ventures aim to further strengthen the defence partnership, focusing on technology sharing and innovation.
The bilateral military ties, which initially blossomed after Israel provided emergency arms supplies to India during the 1999 Kargil conflict, have become increasingly open in the past few years. The Indian armed forces have progressively incorporated a wide array of Israeli weapon systems, including AWACS (airborne warning and control systems), drones, anti-missile defence systems, and quick-reaction anti-aircraft missile systems.
These acquisitions encompass a spectrum of Israeli missiles and precision-guided munitions, ranging from air-to-air missiles like Python and Derby to advanced bombs like Crystal Maze and Spice-2000. The Spice-2000 penetration bombs, notably, were employed by Indian Mirage-2000 fighters in the strike against the Jaish-e-Mohammed facility at Balakot in Pakistan in February of the preceding year, underlining the strategic significance of these acquisitions.
The future holds several other promising defence deals between India and Israel. The Indian Air Force is actively considering the long-pending over US$1.5 billion deal for the acquisition of two additional “Phalcon” AWACS, often referred to as “eyes in the sky.” Furthermore, the defence acquisitions council, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has recently expedited “Project Cheetah,” with plans to arm the Heron drones with laser-guided bombs, air-to-ground anti-tank missiles, precision-guided munitions, and advanced reconnaissance capabilities, representing an investment of around Rs 3,500 crore.
The burgeoning defence partnership between India and Israel reflects a deepening alliance in the realm of technology-driven security. This collaboration encompasses a wide spectrum of defence systems, from infantry weapons to advanced missile defence, surveillance, and precision strike capabilities.
Will the war impact the India-Israel Military Cooperation?
According a senior officer, “India and Israel have maintained robust defence and security cooperation for several years, covering various aspects of military technology, joint ventures, and procurement of defence equipment. This cooperation has largely remained unaffected by external conflicts, including those involving Israel.”
The relationship between two countries is usually based on mutual interests and strategic considerations. While India values its relationship with Israel, it also has diplomatic and economic interests in the Middle East and a history of supporting Palestinian causes. India has traditionally maintained a balanced approach in the Israel-Palestine conflict.