Deepening Indo-Israel defence relations

The Israeli Defense Ministry’s international cooperation directorate SIBAT has reiterated that the two countries share a lot and there is a way to go forward from here.

The recently-held Aero India show at Bangalore witnessed some great partnerships between Indian defence companies and the advanced weapon designers and developers from Israel. Out of several MoUs, one that has made the news is that India will now manufacture an Israeli strategic missile system domestically under tech transfer agreement.

This agreement has happened between Indian defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The two defence firms have signed a memorandum of understanding to further the defence cooperation between Israel and India. India is one of the largest defence buyers of the Israeli defence products and the numbers are just growing.

According to the official announcement from the two companies i.e. BEL and IAI, the much famed LORA (Long Range Attack) weapons system will now be made in India. This arrangement has been done under the prime contractor where BEL has agreed to for work share with IAI, a giant defence manufacturing company in its own capacity.

What is LORA?

LORA is a sea-to-ground and ground-to-ground quasi-ballistic missile system. These have been known for their effective targeting and lethality and are extremely in demand from the defence forces. The whole system of these missiles consists of a launcher, a command and control system. There is also a ground or marine support system that comes along with LORA.

Moreover, LORA is known for its multi-target capabilities. In fact, it could hit by the precision of a ten meters circular error.

Wide range of defence products from Israel

India shares a lot of threat perception with Israel as like them it is also surrounded by hostile neighbours like Pakistan and China. Over the decades the two countries have come closer not just diplomatically but in terms of defence products as well. Since establishing ties in 1992, the two countries have built stronger bilateral relations than ever, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival.

During the recent Aero India Show several of the defence companies from Israel showed their latest weaponry. There were talks from the defence organizations on the Indo-Israel defence relations as well. In one such program SIBAT which is the Israeli Defense Ministry's international cooperation directorate reiterated that the two countries share a lot and there is a way to go forward from here.

Talking about the defence relations, retired Brigadier General Yair Kulas reiterated that in the last three decades Israel has made sure that India receives the finest of the Israeli-made solutions.