The strategic partnership of India-Israel is expanding in various sectors whether it’s innovation or defence. Earlier Israeli companies like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit and Elta Systems have also formed seven joint ventures with Indian companies. Now this defence partnership is taking further steps for co-developing and co-production projects of high-tech weapon systems and exporting them to other friendly countries.
- In this regard, on September 26, 2020, a new sub working group (SWG) to promote such joint projects, under the overarching joint working group on defence cooperation headed by Indian defence secretary Ajay Kumar and his Israeli counterpart, was set up.
- The SWG will be headed by Sanjay Jaju, joint secretary (defence industries production) in the Indian defence ministry and Eyal Calif, director Asia & Pacific from the Israeli one.
Key Points:
-The main focus of the SWG will be on transfer of technology, co-development and co-production, technology security, Artificial Intelligence, innovation and joint export to third countries.
-Israel is among the top four arms suppliers to India with sales worth around $1 billion every year.
-Notably, Indian armed forces are inducting the next-generation Barak-8 surface-to-air missile systems under three joint DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)-Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) projects worth over Rs 30,000 crore.
Recent Related News:
i.On 20th August 2020 India signed a cultural agreement with Israel, which outlines a three year programme of cooperation for 2020 to 2023, to strengthen the strategic bilateral relations through promoting the people to people exchange.
Gabi Ashkenazi, Foreign Minister of Israel and Sanjeev Singla, India’s Ambassador to Israel signed the agreement at the foreign Ministry in Israel.
ii.On 20th August 2020, The government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) signed an agreement with the Israel’s Water Resource Minister for the water resource management in Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh. Ron Malka, Israel’s Ambassador to India and Alok Sinha, Agriculture Production Commissioner of Utta Pradesh signed the ‘plan of cooperation’ on behalf of Israel and India respectively.
About Israel:
Prime Minister– Benjamin Netanyahu
President– Reuven “Ruvi” Rivlin
Capital– Jerusalem
Currency– Israeli Shekel
