NEW DELHI: In the wake of last year’s Operation Sindoor, India is looking to bolster its air defence architecture by acquiring advanced drones, long-range missiles and laser-based interception systems from Israel. The aim is to integrate these technologies into a multi-layered security shield capable of countering missile strikes, drone swarms and aerial attacks from Pakistan.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has already developed a 30-kW high-energy laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), known as the Mk-II(A) system. However, Israel has begun deploying its 100-kW-class ‘Iron Beam’ laser weapon to complement the Iron Dome missile defence system. Iron Beam is designed to intercept drones, rockets and mortars at a significantly lower cost per shot compared to conventional missile interceptors.
The proposed acquisitions are expected to be discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday. An MoU on enhanced security cooperation is likely to be signed during the visit, marking his second trip to Israel after 2017. Beyond procurement, India is also focusing on the transfer and co-development of advanced defence technologies.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Modi will address the Knesset and that the visit aims to deepen economic, diplomatic and security cooperation. Netanyahu also hinted at a broader regional security framework involving India, select Arab and African nations, Greece, Cyprus and other Asian partners.
India is concurrently working on an indigenous, multi-layered air defence system named ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, envisioned to safeguard major cities and strategic installations from missile and drone threats by 2035. As part of this effort, New Delhi is collaborating with Israel to incorporate technologies comparable to the Iron Dome, Arrow and David’s Sling systems. Integration plans include the Barak-8 MR-SAM/LR-SAM platform along with artificial intelligence-enabled sensors and cyber-defence capabilities.
The anticipated agreement will build on an earlier MoU signed in November during Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh’s visit to Israel, where both sides agreed to expand joint development and co-production of advanced military technologies.
During Operation Sindoor, India reportedly deployed several Israeli-origin systems, including Rampage missiles and the Harpy and Harop loitering munitions, against terror targets and military assets in Pakistan.
According to a Forbes India report, Israel has finalised arms deals worth approximately $8.6 billion with India for 2026, making it India’s second-largest arms supplier after France. The reported deals include SPICE 1000 precision-guided bombs manufactured by Rafael, Rampage air-to-surface missiles with a 250-km range, Air LORA air-launched ballistic missiles, and the IceBreaker missile system with a 300-km range.
