India to buy Israeli missiles
India is to buy 131 surface-to-air missiles from Israel in a $70 million deal, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 2 January ahead of a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Barak missiles, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, are to be used for India's future aircraft carrier currently under construction.
Israel has become a major defence supplier to India, selling an average of $1 billion of military equipment each year.
In April 2017, the two countries signed a military deal worth nearly $2 billion which includes the supply over several years of medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and communications technology.
It was unclear whether the deal announced on 2 January was part of that.
The MoD also said it had approved the purchase of 240 air-launched munitions from Russia's JSC Rosonboron Exports for $188 million.
The Indian MoD said: ‘This procurement will address the deficiency of precision-guided munitions in the IAF [Indian Air Force] arsenal, besides enhancing the offensive capabilities of the IAF.’
India, which has longstanding territorial disputes with neighbours China and Pakistan, has signed several big-ticket defence deals since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.
It has however been moving away from relying on traditional ally Russia for military hardware.
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS]()
US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS
The US Army plans to procure a Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7Bv2 Shadow tactical UAV currently in service with the US Army's Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). The FTUAS is being developed under the wider Future UAS (FUAS) programme.
-
![Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal]()
Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal
Air 6500 Phase 1, worth AU$500 million (US$326 million), will result in a sovereign system that can provide greater situational awareness and help to defend against hostile aircraft and missiles. It will sit at the core of Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence programme.
-
![Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million]()
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
![Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans]()
Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans
The Russia–Ukraine war has continued to be the place the world’s militaries have been watching for lessons on both the EW and uncrewed front. Its conventional war aspect, however, has also been catching the attention of leaders.
-
![The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions]()
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
