Israel overtakes Russia as main defense supplier to India

Jerusalem, Feb 15 (PTI) Israel has emerged as India's
largest defence supplier, overtaking Russia, as Tel Aviv has
signed defence deals worth a whopping USD 9 billion with New
Delhi during the past decade, a media report here said Sunday.

"There is close cooperation and the Indians respect
Israeli systems and our experience in fighting terror," a
defence official was quoted as saying by 'The Jerusalem Post'.

Russia had averaged sales of USD 875 million annually
to India for the past 40 years.

In the wake of recent Mumbai terror attacks, India has
also purchased from the Jewish state the aerostat radar system
to help defend the country's coastline in a deal valued at USD
600 million, the daily said.

The radars will be deployed in strategic points to
provide advance warning against incoming enemy aircraft and
missiles, the report said.

The EL/M-2083 Aerostat radars are a simpler version of
the Green Pine radar, made by Israel Aerospace Industries, and
used by the Arrow missile defence system.

The phased-array radars are mounted on blimp-like
balloons tethered to the ground and capable of detecting
intrusions earlier than ground based radar systems.

Israel and India have also agreed upon the joint
development of medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM)
for the Air Force, the report said.

New Delhi is also expected to receive the first of
three new Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems
(AWACS), part of a USD 1.1 billion deal signed between the two
countries, by March, it said.

The sides are said to be in talks for the possible
purchase of another three AWACS.

India's defence ministry has reportedly also approved
a USD 2.5 billion joint IAI-Rafael deal to develop a new and
advanced version of the Spyder surface-to-air missile system.
PTI HM
PMR
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