New Delhi: India’s defence collaboration with Israel has taken a new turn. Recently, Belrise Industries from India and Israel’s Plasan Sasa signed a three-year agreement. This deal aims to co-produce the All-Terrain Electric Mission Module (ATEMM) for India’s armed forces.
This agreement is more than just a business transaction. It shows how India-Israel defence ties have developed from a simple buyer-seller relationship into a deeper partnership focused on technology and innovation.
The ATEMM is a modern, self-propelled electric platform that boosts operational capacity. According to Plasan, it enhances energy use, survivability, and mobility for today’s armed forces. The partnership aligns with India’s goals of promoting local manufacturing and self-reliance, highlighted by initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India).
This joint effort will strengthen India’s defence industry by enabling local production and technology sharing. It marks a shift from merely importing equipment to developing it locally. Belrise’s manufacturing expertise combined with Plasan’s innovations opens new doors for cost-effective production in India.
Historically, India’s defence ties with Israel primarily involved purchasing equipment like missiles and drones. However, this deal underscores a new phase where both countries collaborate on joint development and production, prioritizing strategies that boost domestic manufacturing.
According to expert S Samuel C Rajiv from the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies, many Indian firms are now partnering with Israeli companies. He expressed hope that this new venture would lead to more contracts from the Indian military.
Recent statistics highlight this growing relationship. Over the past decade, India has spent approximately $2.9 billion on defence equipment from Israel. This includes advanced technologies like radars and drones. Today, Israel ranks as India’s fourth-largest defence supplier, following countries like Russia and France.
In practical terms, when India faced security threats, such as during Operation Sindoor, Israeli weapons proved effective. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted how their innovative, field-tested systems supported India during critical times.
The Belrise-Plasan agreement is, therefore, a significant milestone. It indicates a move towards co-innovation and local production in defence technology, aligning with India’s strategic goals. This partnership will allow India to transition from simply buying military equipment to developing and innovating it, enhancing its role in the global defence landscape.
This evolving relationship benefits both countries. It not only addresses current security needs but also fosters technological advancement and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
For further reading, insights into the Israeli military’s contributions to India can be found in the report by Business Standard.
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INDIA ISRAEL DEFENCE TIES, MAKE IN INDIA MEETS ISRAELI TECH, 'MAKE IN INDIA' MEETS ISRAELI TECH: HOW ATEMM DEAL RECASTS INDIA-ISRAEL DEFENCE TIES
