Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Israel, the two nations have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening their defence cooperation. This agreement builds upon previous discussions and collaborations, signaling a continued effort to enhance strategic ties and explore joint ventures in advanced defence technologies. The move comes as part of a broader strategy by both countries to strengthen their defence industries and address shared security concerns.
Defense Seminar Facilitates New Agreement
A strategic defense industry seminar and business-to-business meetings were held this week between leading Indian and Israeli defense companies. The event, organized by Israel's Ministry of Defense (IMOD) through its International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), in conjunction with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and India's Ministry of Defence, served as a platform to foster dialogue and explore new avenues for collaboration.
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The primary outcome of these discussions was the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen defence ties. This latest agreement follows a Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held in November of the previous year, where a significant pact to enhance defense, industrial, and technological cooperation was already established.
The IMOD stated that the strategic seminar advances the vision of Israel Ministry of Defence Director General Maj Gen (Res.) Amir Baram to broaden Israel's defense exports and deepen strategic partnerships with key countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to arrive in Israel on February 25th for a two-day visit.
Expanding Scope of Cooperation
The newly signed MoU delineates a shared vision to deepen cooperation across a broad spectrum of defense-related domains.
Key areas include:
Strategic dialogue and military training.
Defense-industrial partnerships.
Research and Development (R&D).
Technological innovation, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
This agreement shifts the focus from mere transactional procurement towards joint manufacturing and innovation, emphasizing co-development and co-production of advanced military technologies. It aims to establish a unified framework and policy direction to further these collaborative efforts, enabling both nations to leverage each other's expertise.
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"It aims to facilitate co-development, co-production, and sharing of advanced defence technologies between the two nations," according to India's Ministry of Defence.
The partnership is designed to bolster the bilateral defense architecture, allowing India to benefit from Israel's advanced technology and defense-innovation ecosystem, while Israel can tap into India's large operational scale and manufacturing ambitions.
Counter-Terrorism and Shared Interests
Beyond technological and industrial collaboration, the MoU also reaffirms the commitment of both India and Israel to counter-terrorism efforts.
The two nations recognize shared security challenges and have agreed to intensify their collaboration in tackling terrorism and related threats.
This aspect of the agreement underscores the deep mutual trust and shared strategic interests that form the bedrock of the India-Israel defense relationship.
Both sides reviewed ongoing initiatives during their meetings and acknowledged that their cooperation has yielded mutual benefits.
The practical implementation of co-production will necessitate alignment in procurement timelines, export-control regimes, supply chains, and regulatory approvals in both countries.
Background to the Agreement
The defense seminar and subsequent MoU signing precede Prime Minister Modi's visit. This engagement follows a Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in November of the prior year, during which a landmark agreement for industrial and technological cooperation was inked.
| Event | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting | November | Landmark agreement signed to enhance defence, industrial, and technological cooperation. |
| Strategic Defense Industry Seminar & B2B Meetings | This week | Facilitated by SIBAT, SIDM, and India's MoD; led to the signing of the new MoU. |
| Prime Minister Modi's Visit to Israel | February 25 | Scheduled two-day visit, during which further discussions on bilateral ties are expected. |
The ongoing strategic dialogue between the leadership of both nations also indicates a commitment to deepening bilateral ties. Earlier in the year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed Prime Minister Modi on the Gaza plan, and the leaders discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership and advance cooperation in counterterrorism.
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Sources Used:
Note: The Middle East Observer article dated November 10, 2025, was not included due to a significant date discrepancy with other articles published in February, suggesting a potential misdating or a report on a different, earlier agreement.
