Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel on Wednesday, an official visit that will see both countries engage in close economic, diplomatic and security cooperation. While hailing the visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned how this time, there will be another special area of cooperation - high-tech, AI and quantum - between the two countries.
But Israeli media says this time, there is a buzz around defence cooperation between the two countries, which could include joint development of ballistic missile defence systems, laser weapons, long-range missiles and drones.
Though there are speculations that both countries could sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on security cooperation, a right-wing Hebrew media, ‘Maariv’, says that it is not expected.
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It says both sides are yet to reveal any information on the same, but Israel has agreed to share with India the latest defence technologies, including advanced laser defence, something that has not been done in recent years. The foundations for the expanded security cooperation were laid during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Israel last November.
As per reports, India is exploring joint development with Israel of a ballistic missile defence system, as part of the ‘Sudarshan’ defence mission. Israel boasts of "Arrow", "David's Sling" and Iron Dome systems, all exceptional air defence systems.
In addition, India is also interested in acquiring long-range missiles and cruise missiles that can be launched from the air, land, and sea, bypassing the air defence systems of enemy countries. During Operation Sindoor, India used Rampage missiles, the Palm 400 system, and Harpy and Harop cruise missiles - all manufactured by Israeli defence industries - against targets in Pakistan, severely damaging Chinese-made air defence systems as far as the capital, Islamabad.
Hexagon of alliances
As part of the visit, Israel has been promoting the setting up of a “hexagon of alliances”, which is a six-sided alliance with countries from in and around the Middle East. This will include India, Greece, Cyprus, and unnamed Arab, African and Asian countries.
He added that the network will act in coordination against the “radical axis”.
“The intention here is to create an axis of countries that see reality, the challenges, and the goals in the same way, in contrast to the radical axes,” he says. “Both the radical Shiite axis, which we have hit very hard, and also the emerging axis — the radical Sunni axis. All these countries share a different outlook, and cooperation between us can yield very great fruits and, of course, also ensure our strength and our future,” according to Netanyahu.
