Summary The India-Israel Military Miracle (Youtube) www.youtube.com
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n/a India and Israel are 2 countries that have emerged to become global partners. The 2 nations have a collective bilateral trade of over 10,000,000,000 US dollars. India, through its conglomerates, has also participated in $1,000,000,000 investment deals over in Israel. And most important of all, India has been acquiring defense systems from Israel, whether it is ballistic missiles, aerial vehicles, or state of the art battle management systems, but that is not what makes this relationship special. The 2 countries have a distinct history with 1 another.
n/a India emerged in the 20th century with an independent foreign policy, which meant that it stayed away from the Cold War era stands of Western and Eastern blocks. Israel, on the other hand, was marked by struggles for survival, both politically and militarily. Early on, Israel recognized the importance of forging strong alliances and sought partners who could appreciate its security concerns and its quest to establish a modern nation rooted in ancient history. But in the years immediately following their respective independences, India and Israel's paths rarely crossed. India's commitment to the Palestinian cause and its leadership in the nonaligned movement meant limited diplomatic ties with Israel.
n/a India's prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was even an active advocate of anti colonialism and supported decolonization movements worldwide. This perspective informed its initial approach to the Israel Palestine issue. India was 1 of the 1st non Arab nations to recognize Palestine and supported the Palestinian cause at international forums. So what led the 2 nations to become friends despite their differences? Well, we can first attribute it to when India announced its recognition of Israel on September 17, 1950.
n/a Due to this, The Jewish agency established an immigration office in Bombay. And as soon as the Soviet Union collapsed, India also had lost a crucial ally and began seeking new partnerships. Israel, which was by then a technological powerhouse with intelligence capabilities, emerged as a potential ally. In 1992, India formally established diplomatic relations with Israel, which opened a new chapter for the 2 countries' relationship. But the most crucial part of this story is not really rooted in history, but rather due to 1 man, the current prime minister of India, Narendra Modi.
n/a Modi in 2017 took the relationship to the next level after he visited Jerusalem. These forged an increase in investment, trade and technological cooperation. Most importantly, however, is the continuous military acquisitions from Israel to India. Prior to Modi, Israel has already been exploring state of the art military technologies. From 2002 to 2007, defense purchases from Israel amounted to over 5,000,000,000 US dollars.
n/a This already signifies the importance of Israeli made equipment for India. By 2016 to 2020, India accounted for 43% of Israel's total arms exports. These Israeli made military equipment have become 1 of the backbones of the Indian military strength. It stretches wide from ground forces to aerial vehicles and the navy. So with that in mind, let's answer the big question for today's video.
n/a Just how important are these equipment? How capable are they? And how much is there? To start, India's military uses a wide array of Israeli equipment. Arguably, the most famous of all are the Barrick Aid system and the Spider systems, both of which are air defense systems.
n/a The Barrick aid system is a medium to long range anti air and anti missile defense system, which are codeveloped by Israel aerospace industries, IAI, and the defense research and development organization, DRDO, of India. Some media outlets like to call it a strategically vital and lethal weapon for the forces. This contract alone was worth upwards of 1,000,000,000 of dollars. Following the Barrick aid system. The spider system was also a considerable force.
n/a This system is a short and medium range mobile air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries. The deal, which was reported back in 2009, was worth over 1 $1,000,000,000. Then there is also the spike anti tank guided missiles, which in December 2020 saw over 200 spike missiles being ordered. Aside from missile systems, India also acquired several unmanned aerial vehicles. They acquired the IAI Heron used for surveillance and reconnaissance.
n/a Other variants of IAI unmanned aerial vehicles were also acquired or being currently acquired, such as the IAI picture and Elbit Hermes 900. In total, it is reported that India procured more than 150 searcher and heron UAVs. The cost of these varied, but in 2019, it was reported that India signed a $500,000,000 contract with the IAI for 50 additional Heron UAVs. The use of these UAVs helped position India to enhance its maritime domain awareness. Additionally, India also acquired the Falcon Airborne Warning and Control System in March 2004.
n/a The deal with Elta for 3 of these was worth $1,100,000,000 and became 1 of the largest defense deals of that time. By 2020, it was also reported that India had ordered 2 more of fees for another $1,000,000,000, which are expected to become more advanced and better than the previous 1. India also acquired a whole range of radar systems towards aircrafts, ships, and land forces. 1 of the first acquisitions was in 1998 when they acquired the BFSR ELM 21/40, which can detect tanks, vehicles, and troops up to 40 kilometers. A contract in 2002 for 2 aerostat radars with Rafael Advanced Defense system was also signed for $145,000,000.
n/a Now these are just some of the many equipment that India-Israel from Israel out there. Some of them are not even stated publicly. For instance, it's possible that some radar equipment or missile systems are equipped inside India's naval vehicles. This is what was reported in India's Navy INS Kolkata destroyer, which is using the Barrick 8 missiles. On top of that, we have also missed out on discussing the use of artillery ammunition and aircraft parts.
n/a These are essential, but they do not necessarily need to be discussed. But, anyway, we can go on and on. But in the end, it already stands clear that India-Israel, a special military relationship with Israel in terms of equipment. Now you may think that it ends there. The relationship ends with acquisition, but fortunately, it doesn't.
n/a The 2 countries share extensive military exercises with 1 another. These are essential components in their strategic interactions. It's reported that the 2 are joining practices to learn from each other's best practices. The blue flag exercises are a key part of Israel's military diplomacy Edited by the Israeli Air Force. They started in November team and have been gaining steady popularity.
n/a In 2017, the India-Israel force joined for the first time, bringing 45 members, including Garrett Commandos and a c 1 30 j aircraft. Other countries like France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, and the United States also participated in the 2017 exercises. In 2021, India participated in the blue flag exercises with its Mirage 2000 and Rafael aircraft. During this period, as Jason Carr, India's external affairs minister, drill met with pilots from different countries at the exercises. After Israel, the Indian Air Force also took part in air exercises in Egypt.
n/a Additionally, in March 2021, the India-Israel Force joined air exercises in the UAE for the first time involving air forces from the US, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Bahrain. In the naval arena, India and Israel share a long standing relationship. India's naval vehicles have consistently visited Israel's Heifer port. But apart from that, India also once acquired Israeli patrol boats, the Super Dvora MK 11 in the 19 nineties. Now finally, it's important to know that there is a huge technological advantage to India in this part.
n/a Aside from India, learning a lot from Israel, they are also acquiring technological expertise from corporations. Some key partnerships are the likes of Adani Defense and Aerospace along with Elbit Systems in setting up an advanced UAV manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, The HeLa Systems Private Edited, formed by Tata's with IAI subsidiary, Elta Systems Limited, was set up in 2004 for electronic warfare and homeland security. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with Elbit called Halbit was set up in 2007 for avionics, simulators, and training systems. These, and a lot more are out there right now. These joint ventures are crucial in the long run for India.
n/a They do not want to continue buying from Israel. They too want 1 day to manufacture their own advanced equipment. But anyway, do let us know what you think. Thanks for watching.