Israel and India have solidified their defense partnership through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing collaboration in defense, industrial, and technological sectors. This agreement was announced by the Israeli Ministry of Defense on October 17, 2023, during the annual meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) focused on defense cooperation between the two nations.
Amir Baram, the Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Defense, stated in a government release, “Our strategic partnership is based on deep mutual trust and shared security interests. We view India as a first-rate strategic partner and are determined to continue deepening cooperation in the fields of defense, technology, and industry.” While the specifics of the MOU remain vague, it highlights the ongoing commitment to strengthen ties.
During their visit, the Indian delegation engaged with CEOs from prominent Israeli defense firms. Although the announcement did not identify specific executives, companies such as Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Elbit Systems have established significant operations in India, often collaborating through joint ventures under the Indian government’s Make in India initiative. Over the past decade, Israeli defense industries have engaged in contracts worth billions of dollars, focusing on air defense, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and other technologies.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense further emphasized that senior officials, including those from the Political-Military Bureau and the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), were present in discussions with Indian representatives from the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces. This high-level engagement underscores the importance both countries place on their military and technological cooperation.
Another significant development is India’s newly launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2023. This initiative aims to create an integrated air and missile defense system for India, an area where Israel has extensive experience and a strong track record in developing missile defense solutions.
Interestingly, Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Foreign Minister, was unable to attend the signing ceremony as he was in India meeting with his counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Sa’ar discussed the strategic partnership, emphasizing the common threats of terrorism faced by both nations. He expressed gratitude to India for its support during the recent conflict in Gaza, particularly following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
“There is already a warm friendship between our countries. Our goal is to build a long-term strategic partnership between the countries,” Sa’ar remarked. He also highlighted regional collaborations like I2U2, which includes Israel, India, the UAE, and the United States, and IMEC, which envisions an India-Middle East Corridor. Sa’ar noted, “We want to promote commonality between South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.”
This enhanced cooperation with India is part of Israel’s broader strategy to expand its outreach in Asia and tap into new markets for defense products. Israeli defense firms recently showcased their equipment at the ADEX exhibition in Seoul, which took place from October 17 to 24, 2023. The participation of major companies alongside smaller firms like SDC and Ophir Optronics illustrates the robust interest in promoting Israeli defense technologies on the global stage.
As both nations continue to navigate the complexities of international security, the signing of this MOU signifies a commitment to not only enhance bilateral relations but also to address shared security challenges in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
