$2 billion defense deal between India and Israel | Fusion - WeRIndia

As PM Modi is soon set to visit Tel Aviv, Israel, India and Israel have finalized several important defense deals.

These mega deals which are worth more than $2 billion are for advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. They are capable of destroying any hostile aircraft, missiles and drones at a range of 70-km.

The defense deal is the beginning of the strengthening ties between the two countries. According to sources from DRDO, the deal was for collaboration between the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The deal is about the Barak-8 medium-range SAM systems.

Another deal which is to be set between the two countries is for a similar SAM system which will be fitted on board the 40,000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant which is currently under construction at the Cochin Shipyard.

Previously, the Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the MR-SAM project with an overall cost of ₹16,830 crore. The first installment of it is now included at ₹1,500 crore.

This project will have the same idea as the two previous DRDO-IAI programs which are already underway for the next-generation SAMs on Indian warships. Their initial cost is ₹2,606 crore.

The Barak-8 systems will have MF-STARs (multi-function surveillance and threat alert radars) along with weapon control systems with data links. This makes them highly efficient in detecting and tracking hostile aerial threats at a range of 100-km and destroy them at 70-km.

Because of them, India will be able to fill the existing holes in India’s air defense coverage. When it comes to the expensiveness of these SAM systems, many were reluctant.

The bilateral defense relations between India and Israel were kept in a low key profile due to international and domestic political sensitivities. However, Israel is among the top three defense suppliers to India.

Image credit: Arrival of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India image by Narendra Modi is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Image Reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/g20argentina/45378999534/