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India-Israel military ties growing stronger

Friday, 20 February 2015 7:36 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 20 February 2015 7:36 PM ]

Sanjay Sethi
Press TV, New Delhi

Israel and India are coming ever closer. Their military ties have grown stronger. In the past, they had jointly produced the Barak 8 surface-to-air missile system, including both maritime and land-based versions. India purchased about $2 billion worth of the missiles. In his visit to New Delhi, Israel’s minister of military affairs Moshe Ya'alon called his trip as historic and said their relations are now out of the closet.

The new Hindu BJP-led government is taking a different approach.

Israeli military firms have been blacklisted earlier. However, according to analysts, a fresh review by the new Indian government is now likely to change existing laws, making it easier for them to do business.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is much bolder about ties with Israel. He’s also driving India’s military modernization program.

India now plans to spend over a billion dollars on Israeli weapons. It has purchased 16 "Heron" drones, smart bombs and over 8,000 "Spike" anti-tank missiles.

Tel Aviv is flexible in now sharing military technology with New Delhi. Tel Aviv is already India’s third largest arms supplier. Airborne early warning radars from Israel will now strengthen India’s military capabilities.

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