Israel PM's office: Pacts with India will boost cooperation

Israel PM's office: Pacts with India will boost cooperation

Israel-India Defense Pacts Signal Strategic Deepening, Boosting Bilateral Trade

The Israeli government has emphasized that recent agreements with India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit will significantly enhance defense and security cooperation between the two nations. According to Israeli Defense Ministry officials, the partnership aligns with India’s “Make in India” and “Self-Reliance” initiatives, fostering local production and technology transfer.

Defense ties between Israel and India have grown substantially over the past decade. India has been Israel’s largest defense customer, accounting for 34% of its total arms sales between 2020 and 2024, valued at approximately $20.5 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Recent procurement trends highlight this momentum, with Israeli exports to India surging to over $1.5 billion in 2025, driven by joint projects in air defense, ballistic missile systems, and laser technology.

Israeli defense officials note that collaboration extends beyond direct sales. Major Israeli defense firms, including Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, have established Indian subsidiaries and joint ventures to meet local production requirements. For example, Adani Corp. produces the Drishti 10 Starliner drone, based on Elbit’s Hermes 900 design, under a partnership that reflects India’s push for domestic manufacturing.

The strategic alliance also serves as a gateway for Israel’s defense industry to access broader Asian markets. SIBAT, Israel’s defense export authority, highlights that producing within India enables Israeli firms to supply third-party countries in the region. Meanwhile, India benefits from cutting-edge technology and expertise, while Israel gains a foothold in a critical geopolitical and economic partner.

Political engagement at the highest level, including Modi’s address to the Knesset and meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underscores the bilateral commitment to expanding cooperation. As Israel’s defense exports face global competition and intellectual property challenges, maintaining a lead through innovation and localized production remains a priority.

With 2025 shaping up as a record year for defense trade, the India-Israel partnership exemplifies how strategic alignment can drive both economic and security objectives in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Al Jazeera, February 25, 2026
Jerusalem Post, February 25, 2026