India and Israel are also expected to reach some agreements on offensive and defensive drone warfare systems.
Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Netivot, southern Israel, Oct. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing/IANS)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Israel for a two-day official visit. While the main agenda of the visit is to further strengthen the bilateral relations, a key focus will be on the defence deals to be finalised and signed.
The Jerusalem Post stated in a report today that defence agreements to the tune of USD 8-10 billion could be inked during the Indian PM’s stay in Israel.
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India’s defence requirements were underscored during the military conflict with Pakistan in May last year.
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The report said New Delhi and Tel Aviv would look to ink agreements on all major elements of Israel’s multi-layered missile defence system. These include the Israel Aerospace Industries Arrow missile defense system, Rafael’s David’s Sling and Iron Dome, and Rafael and Elbit’s Iron Beam.
It may be noted that India currently uses the Russian S-400, which is considered to be one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems.
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The system proved its worthiness during the India-Pakistan conflict last year, when Pakistan rained missiles and almost all were effectively intercepted.
It is noteworthy that Russia has also offered India joint production of the more advanced S-500 air defence system following S-400’s remarkable success against Pakistan.
India’s DRDO is also developing the QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile) air defence system, which is an indigenous, all-weather, mobile air defence system developed for the Indian Army.
The Post reported that Israel could offer technology for better coordination between multiple air defence systems and in other ways for the detection of air-borne threats.
Taken together, the Israeli technology and help could boost India’s air defence solutions against long-range ballistic missiles, medium-range rockets and cruise missiles, and short-range rockets.
The two countries are also expected to reach some agreements on offensive and defensive drone warfare systems. These could include Elbit’s Hermes 900 drone.
The report also mentioned potential agreements for Rafael’s SPICE 1000 guidance kits, Elbit Systems’ Rampage air-to-ground missiles, Ice Breaker naval cruise missiles, and Israel Aerospace Industries’ supersonic Air LORA missiles.
“One capability which Indian media are reporting that (PM) Modi wants to nail down is firing missiles from a far distance out of range of an enemy’s air defenses, such as the Israeli air force used in June 2025 against Iran,” the report claimed.
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