Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s leading aerospace and defense company, have inked an MoU for co-operation in addressing India’s requirements in the domain of Short Range Air Defense Systems. The MoU was signed by Mr K V Suresh Kumar, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Mr Avi Elisha, VP and General Manager, Missile Systems Division, IAI, in the presence of Mr Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, in Bengaluru yesterday. The partnership marks yet another significant step towards cementing the synergy between the two companies which have a long history of association. BEL and IAI are engaged in several joint development / production / product support programmes for the Indian Defence forces. The MoU aims at leveraging IAI and BEL’s capabilities, and is in sync with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ policies of the Government of India.
Mr Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO, said: “BEL and IAI have a successful partnership in the field of Air Defense in India. Together, we are providing the Indian Armed Forces with high-end Air Defense capabilities that meet their high-end operational requirements on one hand and ‘Make in India’ requirements on the other. Hence, it is only natural that we expand this cooperation to the Short Range Air Defense domain.”
Mr Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, said: “BEL considers IAI, Israel, as a key strategic partner. This MoU is envisaged to boost the co-operation between the two companies in the field of Short Range Air Defense Systems. It will empower the Indian industry to make significant contributions towards equipping our forces with state-of-the-art Short Range Air Defense Systems.”
IAI’s comprehensive range of air defense systems covers everything you need to detect, track, intercept and neutralize all types of airborne threats from missiles, through UAVS and up to combat jets. The company air defense solutions include radars, jammers, decoys and various warning systems, all of which elevates your ability to defend against a broad range of threats. The Sky Capture system is the ultimate C3 for air defense missiles and guns design to provide full scale capabilities to any mobile and stationary air defense systems. Eagle-Eye III VSHORAD is an air defense electro-optical Fire Control System. It has TV and FLIR channels, laser range finder and auto-tracking for engaging attacking aircraft and helicopters. It can interface with a search radar for target approach alerts and it can control up to six A/A guns of all types, e.g. 37 mm, 40 mm, 57 mm guns, and missile turrets with Stinger, SA-18 or Mistral. For mobility, Eagle-Eye can be installed on vehicles and other platforms.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial and astronautic systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 15,000 employees as of 2018. IAI is completely state-owned by the government of Israel. IAI designs, develops, produces and maintains civil aircraft, drones, fighter aircraft, missile, avionics, and space-based systems. Although IAI’s main focus is engineering, aviation and high-tech electronics, it also manufactures military systems for ground and naval forces. Many of these products are specially suited for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) needs, while others are also marketed to foreign militaries.
