India's operational experience in different terrains, combined with Israel's innovation capability, can produce better products which would be beneficial to both the countries, said the report

by Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury

NEW DELHI: Israel defence industry's relationship with India is sometimes viewed as a vendor-driven approach and the two countries should create a joint ecosystem to get and absorb the Israeli technologies, promote defence production and intensify collaboration, suggested India's leading public policy forum Ananta Aspen Centre in a report ahead of PM Benjamin Netanyahu's trip here next week.

The report which dealt with all aspects of growing bilateral partnership laid out a set of suggestions to expand defence ties between the two sides. According to the report there is no formal G2G structure which exist between Israel and India to promote bilateral defence industry cooperation towards new levels of sensitive defence technologies. Given the highly sensitive nature of advanced defence technologies, an enhanced and intimate formal G2G framework is imperative for promoting most sensitive cooperation, the report further suggested.

India and Israel can start collaborating upstream, according to the report. "The long-range surface to air missile (LRSAM) project which is been co-developed for the Indian and the Israeli navies is a good example. This will pre-empt and address the issues of technology and finance." 

The report that was the outcome of 10th India-Israel Forum held in Tel Aviv last November ahead of Netanyahu's visit further noted, "Given that Israel has a distinct advantage in advanced weapons systems (rather than main platforms, such as fighter aircrafts or naval vessels) it was observed that these areas can be the basis for continued collaboration." 

India's operational experience in different terrains, combined with Israel's innovation capability, can produce better products which would be beneficial to both the countries, said the report, adding, "Adoption of Israeli Start Up ethos in the Indian military domain can be promoted." 

Defence cooperation has been one of the success stories but has mainly been with DPSU (Defence Public Sector Units). Israel defence industry is concerned about how they could retain the position as a major supplier to India in the coming years as Indian private companies become increasingly involved in this domain, the report further noted. 

Israel is supporting campaign, and is motivated to enhance the close collaboration with the Indian defence organizations and companies. The proposal was forward by the Israeli President during his visit to India in 2016. The JV Manufacturing facility created in India by Rafael and Kalyani Group Limited is a testimony to this approach, the report pointed out.