Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Israel from February 25–26, India is preparing to further strengthen strategic relations and expand defence cooperation with Tel Aviv, particularly in advanced military technologies and joint development projects.
While the two sides are expected to formalize cooperation through a memorandum of understanding on security collaboration, no specific defence deals are likely to be signed during the visit. Bilateral defence engagement between the two countries is already an ongoing process and is projected to be worth around $10 billion in the coming years.
Officials have remained largely reserved about the details of the trip, but discussions are expected to focus on cutting-edge defence technologies. Israel is understood to have expressed readiness to share advanced systems with India, including high-technology laser-based defence platforms and long-range stand-off capabilities — areas of growing importance for India’s military modernization.
The groundwork for deeper defence ties was laid during Defence Secretary RK Singh’s visit to Israel last November, when an MoU on expanded defence cooperation was concluded.
A key area of interest for India is joint development in anti-ballistic missile defence, central to India’s broader air and missile shield strategy. Israel’s multi-layered missile defence architecture — including systems such as Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome — is widely regarded as among the most advanced in the world, making it an attractive partner for India’s long-term defence planning.
India is also expected to explore procurement and collaboration in long-range precision strike weapons and loitering munitions. These systems, deployable from air, land, and sea platforms, are designed to operate beyond hostile air defence networks. Past Indian military operations have demonstrated increasing reliance on stand-off weapons and unmanned systems, underlining their strategic value.
Naval cooperation is another priority, with India’s Navy assessing options for enhanced shipborne air defence systems capable of countering both aerial and missile threats.
Beyond defence, the visit is anticipated to reinforce cooperation across science and technology, agriculture, water management, and emerging fields such as quantum computing. Prime Minister Modi’s engagement with Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to emphasize shared positions on counter-terrorism and innovation-driven partnerships.
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