More India-Israel joint defence projects on anvil

Reflecting rapid expansion in military ties, Israel has said it was ready to share cutting-edge defence technologies with India and both countries will go for co-development of a number of key weapon systems soon.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said both countries have overcome hurdles in co-development of Barak 8 missile defence system and work on another key project of aerial defence systems is on track.

At the end of his India visit, Ya’alon said his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar were very “satisfying” and that his country was ready to have manufacturing bases in India for certain weapons systems and military hardware.

India is Israel’s largest buyer of military hardware and it was the first visit by any Israeli Defence Minister to this country after they established full diplomatic ties in 1992.

Asked about status of two key projects, Barak 8 missile defence system and aerial defence systems, Ya’alon said both the projects are important and they are going ahead despite having some initial difficulties.

“We are moving forward. We had some difficulties. We overcame it together. Both these projects are important for us,” Ya’alon told a news agency in an interview here.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are jointly developing the Barak 8 missile defence system.