Big push for Modi's 'Make in India', India inks USD 2 bn missile defence systems deal with Israel

Israel will supply advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile systems (MRSAM)long-range air and missile defence systems (LRSAM).

Pic courtesy: iai.co.il

Jerusalem: Taking bilateral defence cooperation to the next level, Israel has signed a USD 2 billion contract with India to supply advanced missile defence systems.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) said that it has been awarded its largest defence contract for supplying advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile systems (MRSAM) to India.

The Indian and Israeli defence forces already have in operation the MRSAM - the technology is said to have been jointly developed by IAI and India's DRDO in collaboration with Rafael and IAI's Elta division.

The new deal will lead to the development and supply of an more advanced air and missile defence system that provides protection against a variety of aerial threats. The system includes an advanced phased-array radar, command and control, mobile launchers and missiles with advanced RF seekers.

The Israeli defence major will also supply long-range air and missile defence systems (LRSAM) for India's first indegenious aircraft carrier.

"The current contracts represent an enormous expression of confidence by the government of India in IAI's capabilities and advanced technologies, which are being developed with our local partners as part of the Indian government's 'Make in India' policy," IAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joseph Weiss said in a statement.

The Indian side is also lauding Israel's willingness to share technology and form joint ventures to manufacture military quipement under the Prime Minster Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative.

Importantly, the fact that the deal has come through months before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Israel – the first by any Indian PM – shows the deep level of understanding, cooperation and trust between the two nations.

With PTI inputs