Business Guide | Israel-India 2022

Smart Abilities Among the novel Israeli products presented abroad are: ●● Advanced bunkers and defense walls, suitable for construction on the spot by a small force ●● A unique light barrier aimed at defending against attacks of heavy weapons ●● Mobile systems to locate and monitor forces, and/or explosives in the battlefield ●● System to prevent two-sided shooting, using communication technologies ●● Infrared identification system for locating approaching enemies ●● AI-based video analyzing tools of monitoring facilities and control towers, to react to incursions in real-time ●● Battle training systems especially for urban environment ●● Unmanned vehicles to patrol in hostile environments, carrying heavy equipment and weapons ●● Balloon equipped with a special day-and- night camera and radar, detecting suspicious movements in a defined area. I n early 2022 , India’s PrimeMinister Shri NarendraModi said in a speech: "Only if the country develops its own weapons, it canmaintain uniquenesswhich is important for the nation’s security." In an attempt to encourage industry leaders to boost defensemanufacturingwithin the country, he calledweapon self sufficiency “an act of patriotism” and “service to the nation”. The PM's speech was directly touching a national challenge: India is one of the largest importers of arms globally. It is estimated that Indian armed forces will spend around USD 130 billion in capital procurement in the next five to seven years. Need for Self-Sufficiency It is the Government's policy to reduce dependence on imported military equipment. And, at the same time, to support domestic defensemanufacture. The declaredgoal is a turnover of USD 25 billion in defense manufacture. Earlier, the Ministry of Defense released a list of 2 , 500 items that have already been developed indigenously. Another list includes 351 pieces of equipment that will be developed within the country by end 2024 . It is easy to seewhy depending on other states concerns a country when it comes to defending itself: The 2018 military budget of Indiawas about 1 . 49 %of the total GDP, but the State spent nearly an equal amount on importing arms fromother countries. 70 % (by value) of its high-tech defense tools (aircraft, ships, submarines, missiles etc.) are importedmainly fromRussia, Japan, Israel and theUS. Of course, Israel, as amajor global player in the defense sector and HLS, would bemore than happy to help – but this would have to happen in a smart way – one that will aid India in self development of it weapons, i.e., by giving it the knowledge necessary. This is the exact reasonwhy the newly signed agreement between the two States is not a plain selling/buying deal, but a shared vision, which will include defense procurement, production and research & development. Another part of the bilateral agreement concernsmilitary- to-military engagements, such as exercises and industry cooperation, aswell as forming a newsub-working group on defense industry cooperation. This visionwas also born from the necessity that the two Towards A Secured Partnership The vision of a more independently secure India is emerging – with Israeli technology by its side Israel-India > Business Guide > 2022 54 > Defense & HLS > Review