India and Israel to Work Together on Missile Defense Systems

India is working with Israel to get better missile defense. This is a big step to keep India safe from air attacks.
By Newsroom | Defense, International Relations |

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit, reports suggest India is seeking to deepen its defense ties with Israel, with a particular focus on advanced anti-ballistic missile defense systems. This potential collaboration underscores India's ongoing efforts to bolster its aerial defense capabilities and leverage Israel's renowned expertise in this field. The discussions are expected to build upon existing agreements and explore new avenues for technology sharing and joint development.

India eyes advanced Anti-Ballistic missile defence pact with Israel ahead of PM Modi’s visit - 1

Context of Collaboration

India and Israel have a steadily growing defense partnership, evolving from simple buyer-seller transactions to more integrated joint development and technology exchange. This shift is evident in recent Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed between the two nations, aiming to institutionalize deeper collaboration within their defense industries.

India eyes advanced Anti-Ballistic missile defence pact with Israel ahead of PM Modi’s visit - 2

  • Recent Agreements:

  • An MOU was signed recently, described as setting the tone for Prime Minister Modi's visit. This agreement aims to institutionalize deeper collaboration between defense industries.

  • In November 2025, a new defense agreement was signed to co-develop and produce advanced military technology, signaling another step in their expanding security partnership.

  • Prior to that, in November 2025, a defense framework was concluded, laying groundwork for expanded cooperation.

  • Key Areas of Focus:

  • Missile Defense: Israel's advanced, layered missile defense systems, encompassing long-, medium-, and short-range capabilities, are of significant interest to India.

  • Advanced Technologies: Beyond missile defense, Israel has reportedly agreed to share cutting-edge technologies, including laser-based defense systems and high-precision stand-off weapons.

  • Joint Development: The collaboration is increasingly moving towards joint development and production, with companies from both nations participating.

  • Potential Acquisitions: India is looking at future acquisitions that may include glide bombs, air-to-surface missiles, air-launched ballistic missiles, and extended-range naval air defense systems to enhance its fleet protection.

  • Geopolitical Alignment: Both nations share congruence on many geopolitical issues, which is seen as a factor facilitating closer defense coordination.

Evidence of Collaboration

Multiple reports highlight the increasing intensity and scope of India-Israel defense cooperation, particularly concerning advanced aerial defense.

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India eyes advanced Anti-Ballistic missile defence pact with Israel ahead of PM Modi’s visit - 3

  • Strategic Focus on Missile Defense: Reports indicate that Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to Israel places a strong emphasis on "Mission Sudershan" and the collaboration on missile technology. This mission is reportedly focused on enhancing India's anti-ballistic missile shield.

  • Israeli Expertise: Israel's recognized strength in layered missile defense, covering various ranges, makes it a sought-after partner for India.

  • Technological Exchange: Israel has reportedly agreed to provide advanced technologies, including laser-based defense systems and other high-precision weapons, to India.

  • Structured Cooperation: The partnership has moved towards structured technology collaboration and joint development, exemplified by the participation of 56 companies (30 from India, 26 from Israel) in a recent project.

  • Signed MOUs:

  • An MOU signed ahead of PM Modi's visit institutionalizes deeper collaboration between defense industries.

  • A defense agreement in November 2025 aims to co-develop and produce advanced military technology.

  • An expanded defense cooperation framework was concluded in November 2025.

  • Israeli Firms' Involvement: Major Israeli defense firms like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Elbit Systems have engaged in business in India, often working with joint ventures to align with India's "Make in India" policy.

Collaboration in Air Defense Systems

The joint development and potential acquisition of advanced air and missile defense systems are central to the evolving India-Israel defense partnership.

  • Layered Defense Strategy: Israel's proven expertise in developing multi-layered air defense, capable of intercepting threats at different altitudes and ranges, is a key draw for India. This aligns with India's need to counter a spectrum of aerial dangers.

  • Joint Development Initiatives: The collaboration extends beyond mere procurement to co-development. For instance, a specific system is being developed through a partnership between Israel's Elbit Systems and India's Nibe Ltd.

  • Technology Transfer: Reports suggest that Israel is willing to share cutting-edge technologies, including laser-based defense systems and advanced air-to-surface and air-launched ballistic missiles.

  • Naval Capabilities: India is reportedly interested in extended-range naval air defense systems from Israel to bolster the protection of its fleet.

Scope for Future Cooperation

The existing defense relationship between India and Israel offers considerable scope for further expansion, driven by shared strategic interests and a growing trust in each other's capabilities.

  • Broadening Technological Ties: Beyond missile defense, Israel's capacity in areas like Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and other advanced defense platforms is significant. The "Make in India" initiative provides a framework for deeper integration of Israeli defense manufacturing.

  • Strategic Alignment: India and Israel share common ground on numerous geopolitical issues, fostering an environment conducive to closer defense coordination, potentially extending to areas like the Mediterranean.

  • Supplier Reliability: Israel is viewed by India as a reliable defense systems supplier, often characterized as a "no-questions-asked" partner, which facilitates smoother technology transfer and cooperation.

  • Commitment to Counter-Terrorism: Both nations have reaffirmed a zero-tolerance approach toward terrorism, which can serve as a basis for collaborative security initiatives.

Expert Perspectives

The deepening defense ties between India and Israel are viewed as a strategic development for both nations.

  • Strategic Partnership: The stated goal is to build a "long-term strategic partnership" between the countries, moving beyond transactional defense sales to integrated technological collaboration.

  • Mutual Benefit: Both sides have acknowledged benefiting from each other's capabilities, reinforcing the rationale for continued joint efforts in defense technology.

  • Reliability Factor: India's perception of Israel as a dependable defense partner is a critical element in the sustained growth of their cooperation.

Conclusion and Implications

The reports indicate a clear and accelerating trend towards enhanced defense cooperation between India and Israel, with a pronounced focus on advanced anti-ballistic missile defense systems. This intensified engagement is structured through MOUs and aims for joint development and technology sharing, moving beyond traditional buyer-seller relationships.

  • Key Developments: India is reportedly seeking advanced missile defense pacts, leveraging Israel's proven expertise. This is being facilitated by recent MOUs that institutionalize collaboration and pave the way for co-development of cutting-edge military technologies.

  • Strategic Goals: The collaboration serves India's objective of strengthening its defense capabilities, particularly against aerial threats, and enhances its strategic autonomy. For Israel, it represents a deepening partnership with a major global power.

  • Future Trajectory: The partnership is poised for further growth, potentially encompassing a wider range of advanced defense technologies and greater integration of industrial capacities, underpinned by shared geopolitical outlooks and mutual trust. The focus on "Mission Sudershan" signifies a deliberate effort to bolster India's missile defense architecture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is India talking to Israel about missile defense?
India wants to buy advanced missile defense systems from Israel to make its skies safer. Israel is known for having very good systems to stop missiles.
Q: What kind of missile defense systems are they talking about?
They are discussing systems that can stop different types of missiles, like long-range and short-range ones. This is part of a plan called 'Mission Sudershan'.
Q: When will this deal happen?
India and Israel have signed new agreements to work together. More details about specific systems and future plans will likely be known after Prime Minister Modi's visit.
Q: How does this help India?
This deal will help India build a stronger shield against air attacks. It means India will get new technology and work with Israeli companies to make these systems.
Q: What else are India and Israel working on together?
Besides missile defense, they are also looking at sharing other advanced technologies like laser defense and high-precision weapons. They have signed agreements to work together on many defense projects.