Israel signs air defense contracts with India worth almost $2 billion

Israel Aerospace Industries said Thursday it had signed its largest-ever deal, to supply India with advanced air defense missile systems worth almost $2 billion (NIS 7.28 billion).

The state-owned IAI signed a $1.6 billion (NIS 5.83 billion) contract to sell the Medium Range Surface to Air Defense Missile (MRSAM) system, known in Israel as the Barak 8, to the Indian army.

This is the largest single purchase in the company’s history, IAI said.

In a separate deal the company will also supply the Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) air and missile defense system for the first Indian aircraft carrier.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the deal in February.

Reports say the Barak 8 can shoot down enemy aircraft, drones, surveillance aircraft and AWACS planes at a strike range of 50 to 70 kilometers (31-43 miles) in the sky.

“Over the past 25 years, IAI has worked with the Indian defense industries and armed forces in many areas as part of our strategic partnership,” said IAI CEO Joseph Weiss.

Weiss added that the deal shows high trust in Israeli technology.

“This contract award also recognizes the professionalism of all of Israel’s defense industries,” he said. “We at IAI are proud to be leading this flagship project after a long and joint development process.”

Boaz Levi, executive vice president of IAI, said the partnership between the two countries was strong.

“Along with our partner in India, we will supply to the Indian Army an advanced, sophisticated and innovative system that will provide the best operational solution,” Levi said.

“This complex development reflects technological innovation, creativity, vision and remarkable personal dedication of all those involved in the development of the system both in Israel and India.”

Israel has sought to tighten defense ties with New Delhi in recent years, especially in the fields of air and missile defense.

The MRSAM system is under joint development of Israel Aerospace Industries and the Defence Research and Development Organisation, India’s primary state military research and development agency.