Israel expresses commitment towards 'Make in India' in defence sector

New Delhi: Israel on Friday expressed its commitment for `Make in India and Make with India` in the security domain, said a industry release.

Participating at a `Round table on Indo-Israel Cooperation in Defence & Homeland Security`, Israeli Defence Ministry`s international defence cooperation directorate (SIBAT) chief Brig. Gen. Mishel Ben Baruch (retd.) said: "We are willing to cooperate with India and transfer technologies through partnership with Indian companies. SIBAT and Ministry of Defence of Israel are committed for a long term relationship with India."

He called the event, organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), "historic" and "an opportunity to find ways to enhance cooperation between India and Israel in these areas"."

Defence Ministry Joint Secretary (Planning & International Cooperation) Shambhu S. Kumaran said: "In India, defence production is set to shift from public sector to private companies and offset programme of the country is also taking shape with a target of $10 billion in next 5 years."

Emphasising on the high degree of trust shared between the two countries and the growing concern of cyber threat, Kumaran called it one of the areas where India and Israel could collaborate.

Israel is one of the leading exporters of weapon systems to India, providing missiles, unmanned aircrafts, electronic warfare and radars in last decade.