Shalom Namaste

 

 

No press statements were released as the Indian Army Chief J.J. Singh made a secret visit to Israel. With Israel becoming the second biggest supplier of arms to India, after Russia, the Army Chief’s visit is seen as yet another proof of India’s expansion of military ties with the Jewish State. Though defence officials are downplaying the visit, Army sources have told TSI that Singh is there to discuss training for elite special forces and anti-terrorism strategies. It is believed that Singh was given a demonstration of certain sophisticated weaponry systems. The Army Chief is also believed to have toured an Israeli specialised training centre for anti-terror operations.



INSIDE KIBBUTZ

Army Chief J.J. Singh visits Israel

To discuss anti-terrorism strategies

India to buy special military equipment from Israel

Also looking at joint R&D



According to sources in the Ministry of Defence, India is keen to acquire military equipment like Tavor rifles for its special forces and more unmanned aerial vehicles, which India uses heavily along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from the buyer-seller relationship, India is also looking at joint research and development projects, including joint production of the Barak New-Generation anti-missile defence system. The Indian government has been wary of publicising ties with Israel, keeping in mind the domestic sensitivities. Following the cancellation of then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s trip to Israel last year, the Israeli defence industry had expressed fear that the defence cooperation between the two countries was hobbled. To allay those fears, Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi and Navy Vice-Chief, Vice-Admiral Venkat Bharathan had to visit Israel. Singh’s visit, which is the first trip to Israel by an Indian army chief since 1998, is seen as an attempt to move beyond buying military hardware and focus on areas such as military training.

India must make sure that its cooperation with Israel moves in the right direction. It has been, for long, over dependent on worn-out military equipment from Russia. India needs to create an alternative for its arms supplies and its best bet right now seems to be Israel.