The Hindu : India, Israel discuss arms deals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 10, 2003

National

National

India, Israel discuss arms deals

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 9 . The visiting Director-General of Israeli Defence Ministry, Amos Yaron, today opened the two-day talks on co-production and procurement of defence equipment and systems between the two countries. The talks centred on import of sophisticated aircraft mounted radars, co-production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) commonly called drones and installation of electronic warfare systems. Simultaneously, the chiefs of Israeli defence companies who arrived with the Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, held talks with their Indian counterparts and called on military and civilian officers looking after perspective planning and procurement. Some company officials may stay on to continue talks.

Maj. Gen. Yaron is understood to have discussed details of the Phalcon deal, including the necessity of a tripartite agreement between India, Israel and Russia (which will supply the aircraft for the radars) and upgrade of Mig-21 aircraft with the Chief of Air Staff, S. Krishnaswamy.

After meeting the IAF chief, the Israeli delegation met a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) team led by the Defence Ministry's Principal Scientific Adviser, V.K. Atre, to discuss the possibilities of a UAV joint venture and furthering cooperation in cutting edge military electronics sector. The DRDO Chief Controllers, M. Natarajan and K.V.S.S. Prasad, were also present during the hour-long discussions.

Israeli Phalcon radars running on Indian software will be married with Russian military transport aircraft to provide tremendous surveillance capability from a height of 30,000 feet. India tested the long-endurance Heron UAV during last year's troop mobilisation on borders with Pakistan and the DRDO wants to utilise Israeli expertise for the indigenous production programme.

If the Phalcon deal goes through, India will be the only country in the region to have the much sought after Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) — aircraft-mounted radar coupled with ground-based interception capability.

Maj. Gen. Yaron will discuss specialised military training and ascertain military hardware requirements from the Naval Chief and the Army Vice-Chief tomorrow. The delegation will also meet the Defence Secretary, Ajay Prasad, and the Secretary, Defence Production, Usha Pillai, and call on the Defence Minister, George Fernandes.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National