Posted on 04/02/2010 11:23:15 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Israel defense industry sources said state-owned and other Israeli defense firms intend to expand offices and staff in India during 2010. "The Indian government has approved a huge increase in its defense budget for new weapons and systems, and Israeli companies will be first in line for consideration of projects," an industry source said.
In March 2010, the Indian Defense Ministry submitted an order of more than $100 million for the Barak point-defense missile system from the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries. Industry sources said that under the deal the Indian military would receive 400 Barak interceptors.
India, which has approved a four percent defense budget increase in 2010, has been negotiating with several Israeli companies. The sources identified the firms as IAI, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Military Industries. IAI has offered India additional Phalcon airborne early-warning and alert systems while IMI has presented a range of smart munitions.
Rafael has decided to expand its office in New Dehli amid preparations to launch an air defense project for the Indian military, which was granted a $32 billion budget for 2010. The sources said Rafael would station four of its employees in New Dehli on a permanent basis. Until now, the office contained one staffer.
The larger staff was expected to facilitate Rafael's negotiations with both the Indian government and local contractors. Rafael has established a joint venture with India's Bharat Electronic, designed to implement major projects, such as the $1.4 billion deal for the development of the Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missile.
The sources said Rafael was also competing for an anti-tank procurement project by the Indian Army. They said Rafael has presented its Spike family of missiles, capable of being fired from land, sea or air.
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Israel and India. Now there’s a match made in heaven. Enemy of my enemy and all that.
Id rather have India deal with Israel and America than Russia and China.
100%. They’re a mini-super power (perhaps just a super power) waiting to happen, and China and Russia have no motivation to help them. Israel needs to break away from America, and America needs a trading partner with a big consumer market that isn’t out to harm them.
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