India Secures 40,000 Firearms from Israeli Firm for Defence Needs
An Israeli firm, IWI, has signed a contract to supply 40,000 firearms to India, bolstering defence capabilities.
Quick Revision
Israeli firm IWI to supply 40,000 firearms to India.
The contract is part of India's defence modernization efforts.
Highlights strengthening defence cooperation between India and Israel.
Aligns with India's 'Make in India' initiative.
Key Numbers
Visual Insights
India-Israel Defence Cooperation: A Strategic Partnership
This map highlights the two nations involved in the significant defence deal, underscoring the strategic partnership between India and Israel in defence procurement and technology.
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India's Defence Procurement: Key Figures & Context
This dashboard provides key statistics related to the recent firearms deal and India's broader defence procurement landscape, highlighting the scale and strategic importance.
- Firearms Procured (IWI)
- 40,000 units
- India's Defence Budget (FY 2023-24)
- ₹5.94 Lakh Crore+13%
- Defence Imports (2018-22)
- 11% of Global Imports
Significant quantity for internal security and military operations, enhancing infantry capabilities.
One of the largest defence budgets globally, reflecting India's commitment to national security and modernization. Capital outlay for new equipment is a key component.
India remains the world's largest arms importer, but efforts like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' aim to reduce this dependence.
Exam Angles
India-Israel bilateral relations, particularly in defence and strategic sectors.
India's defence procurement policy, 'Make in India', and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives in defence.
Geopolitical implications of India's defence partnerships in West Asia.
Role of private defence firms in global arms trade and technology transfer.
Internal security challenges and the need for modern weaponry for law enforcement and military operations.
View Detailed Summary
Summary
An Israeli defence firm, IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), has secured a significant contract to supply 40,000 firearms to India. This deal is part of India's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its defence capabilities.
What does this mean? It signifies a strengthening of defence cooperation between India and Israel, and also aligns with India's 'Make in India' initiative, as such procurements often involve technology transfer or local manufacturing components. While the newspaper headline mistakenly mentioned 'IEDs' (Improvised Explosive Devices), the article text clarifies it's 'IWI-made firearms', which are crucial for internal security and military operations.
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding India-Israel defence cooperation: 1. Israel has consistently been among the top three defence suppliers to India for over a decade, primarily in advanced technologies. 2. The recent procurement of firearms from IWI is expected to involve significant technology transfer to bolster India's 'Make in India' initiative in defence manufacturing. 3. India and Israel are also key partners in the I2U2 Group, which focuses on joint investments across various sectors including water, energy, and food security. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct: Israel has been a consistent and major defence supplier to India, known for providing advanced technologies like UAVs, missile systems, and electronic warfare systems. Statement 2 is correct: While the news mentions 'often involve technology transfer or local manufacturing components', it's a general trend in India's defence procurements, especially with strategic partners, to align with 'Make in India'. The deal is part of this broader push. Statement 3 is correct: India and Israel are indeed members of the I2U2 Group, along with the UAE and USA, which aims to foster joint investments and cooperation in critical sectors. Therefore, all statements are correct.
2. In the context of India's Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and its objective of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in defence, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.DAP 2020 prioritizes procurement from Indian vendors under the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category over 'Buy (Global)' category.
- B.The 'Offset Policy' under DAP mandates foreign vendors to invest a certain percentage of the contract value back into India's defence ecosystem, but its applicability has been rationalized for government-to-government deals.
- C.The procedure aims to reduce the time taken for defence procurements and promote indigenous design and development through various 'Make' categories.
- D.All defence procurements, irrespective of value or origin, are now mandatorily routed through the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to ensure indigenization.
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement A is correct: DAP 2020 indeed prioritizes Indian vendors and indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM) products. Statement B is correct: The Offset Policy is a key component, but its applicability has been rationalized, especially for G2G deals, to streamline procurement. Statement C is correct: A primary goal of DAP 2020 is to expedite procurement and boost indigenous capabilities. Statement D is NOT correct: While indigenization is a focus, not all defence procurements are mandatorily routed through DPSUs. Private sector participation is actively encouraged, and direct procurement from foreign vendors (under 'Buy Global' or G2G) still occurs when necessary, especially for advanced technologies not yet available domestically. The focus is on 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', which includes private Indian players.
3. Which of the following pairs of Israeli defence technologies/systems and their applications in India is/are correctly matched? 1. Barak-8 Missile System : Jointly developed long-range surface-to-air missile for naval vessels. 2. Heron Drones : Unmanned Aerial Vehicles primarily used for high-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance. 3. Phalcon AWACS : Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft based on Israeli radar integrated with Russian platforms. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct: The Barak-8 (or LR-SAM) is a long-range surface-to-air missile system jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is deployed on Indian Navy warships. Statement 2 is correct: Heron drones, manufactured by IAI, are indeed extensively used by the Indian armed forces for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering, including in high-altitude areas. Statement 3 is correct: India operates Phalcon AWACS, which are based on the Israeli EL/W-2090 radar system integrated onto Russian Il-76 transport aircraft. All three statements correctly describe the applications of Israeli defence technologies in India.
Source Articles
Israeli defence firm says it plans to supply first batch of LMGs to India early next year - The Hindu
Iran-Israel tensions cloud plans for thousands of Indian workers recruited for Israeli construction sites - The Hindu
Despite war clouds, Indian students make up largest share of foreign students in Israel - The Hindu
Israel seeks 10,000 more skilled construction workers from India - The Hindu
Hindalco signs MoU with Israeli firm, IOC joint venture to work towards decarbonising mobility - The Hindu