India continues rocket and explosives exports to Israel amid Gaza conflict

Researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Zain Hussain has said that due to longstanding collaboration between India and Israel, it is plausible that Israel is utilizing components manufactured in India in its operations in Gaza.

“The absence of verifiable information makes it difficult to ascertain whether transfers have occurred,” Caliber.Az reports citing Hussain’s statement for the foreign media.

Hussain indicated that given the ongoing collaboration between India and Israel over several years, it is conceivable that Israel might utilize components manufactured in India during its military actions in Gaza.

According to SIPRI, Premier Explosives Limited, an Indian company, manufactures solid propellants, which constitute a significant part of the rocket motors used in MRSAM (Barak medium-range surface-to-air missile) and LRSAM (Barak long-range surface-to-air missile) missiles. These missiles are of Israeli design, with Indian designations.

During a conference call on March 31, the company's executive director, T Chowdary, acknowledged exporting these propellants to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He informed investors that they had received payment for the pending export order from Israel, resulting in a substantial increase in the company's quarterly revenue. Chowdary expressed satisfaction over achieving the highest-ever quarterly revenue for the company.

In December 2018, Adani Defence & Aerospace, the defence division of Indian conglomerate Adani Enterprises Ltd, and Israel's Elbit Systems jointly inaugurated the Adani Elbit Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Complex in Hyderabad.

Hussain noted that the production of Hermes drones at this facility holds significance for both India and Israel. For Israel, it signifies having a manufacturing facility located outside its borders. For India, the collaboration involves technology transfer, enabling it to manufacture drones based on the Israeli model.

India's defence collaboration with Israel spans across various sectors, from missile technology and UAV production to joint ventures and technology transfers. These initiatives not only bolster defense capabilities but also contribute to economic growth and strategic partnerships between the two nations in the global defense arena. The ongoing collaboration is characterized by mutual benefit and shared technological advancements, reflecting the evolving dynamics of Indo-Israeli relations in defence and aerospace sectors.