Israel Aerospace Industries launched AeroSpace Services India (ASI) in New Delhi, furthering its presence in India, earlier this week. Speaking to Raksha Anirveda’s Consulting Editor, Asad Mirza on the sidelines of Aero India 2025, Danny Lauber, CEO of ASI shed light on the ASI and its STORM project focused on tapping the Indian talent in the aerospace sector.
AeroSpace Services India (ASI), an Indian subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) – Systems, Missiles & Space Group, has established itself as a key player in India’s defence ecosystem. Rooted in IAI’s decades-long partnership with India, ASI embodies the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and self-reliance, aligning closely with the Indian Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and the Make in India initiative. As a trusted advisor, ASI provides advanced solutions and expertise, ensuring India’s defence capabilities remain at the forefront of global standards.
ASI is the sole authorised technical representative for the cutting-edge Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system, jointly developed by IAI and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This advanced air and missile defence system is operational across Indian tri-services: the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Rooted in IAI’s decades-long partnership with India, ASI embodies the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and self-reliance, aligning closely with the Indian Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and the Make in India initiative
With its phased array radar, command and control systems, mobile launchers, and RF seeker-equipped interceptors, MRSAM provides India with robust protection against modern aerial threats.
Located in New Delhi, with strategically placed branches across the subcontinent, ASI employs 100 local professionals, with 97% being Indian nationals. By investing in India’s talent pool, ASI builds a workforce equipped with advanced training and technical skills, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to the local community. Danny explained that for over 30 years, IAI has collaborated with Indian partners, blending Israel’s technological edge with India’s expertise. Through ASI, this partnership continues by creating opportunities, developing talent, and fostering innovation.
Reflecting on this milestone, Danny noted that India and Israel share a strategic partnership built on mutual respect and shared goals. ASI embodies the vision of combining the best of IAI’s technology with India’s talent, fostering a self-reliant defence industry capable of serving both domestic and global markets. ASI’s innovative approach supports India’s ambitions to become a global defence exporter. By empowering India with locally operated, world-class solutions, ASI transforms the country into a hub for cutting-edge defence technology.
Danny further said that ASI is one the earlier success stories of relationship between India and Israel, as it was the first company owned by IAI to operate in India and trade in rupees and establish a full revenue and cost centre in India. ASI has been operating in India for the past two years and is growing very-very quickly.
Located in New Delhi, with strategically placed branches across the subcontinent, ASI employs 100 local professionals, with 97% being Indian nationals. By investing in India’s talent pool, ASI builds a workforce equipped with advanced training and technical skills, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to the local community
Danny was appreciative of the huge talent bank in India and said that ASI is planning to capitalise on that in the future and enter the manufacturing and R&D facilities also, besides expanding the scope of services. Through solutions like STORMS – a cutting-edge service management platform – ASI enhances operational readiness and ensures seamless integration with the Indian defence ecosystem.
Explaining about STORMS, Danny said that it is a platform which enables companies and military establishments to use their assets and expertise in their domains in an efficient manner utilising AI. For example, ASI is using AI to bridge the multilingual issues besides predictive analysis.
Delving on ASI’s ties with Indian defence manufacturers, Danny said that ASI and IAI collaborates with every major defence manufacturer in India, but now they have started focussing more on Tier II or MSMEs – manufacturers and suppliers of key components and materials and services providers. Now, ASI/IAI is gearing up to approach Tier III or startups, which have novel ideas. ASI has recently launched an innovation centre in New Delhi and a programme with IIT, Delhi to turn ideas into practical solutions as needed and identified by the three services.
Elaborating further Danny said that ASI has recently started work on a very large facility in Gurugram, which supports startups who established their facilities near this centre to integrate with solutions which ASI has is developing or integrating.
Commenting on the Indian capabilities Danny was appreciative of the large pool of talent available in India both for R&D and manufacturing, which according to him draws many other multinationals also to India, based on the quality and numbers of its huge talent pool.
Commenting on the Indian capabilities Danny was appreciative of the large pool of talent available in India both for R&D and manufacturing, which according to him draws many other multinationals also to India, based on the quality and numbers of its huge talent pool
Danny feels that the establishment of ASI is not just about delivering technology; it is about aligning with India’s broader goals. By integrating into India’s defence ecosystem, ASI ensures operational readiness by reducing repair times and enhancing service efficiency for critical systems like MRSAM. It also provides significant cost savings by operating in Indian rupees, cutting down the cost of imports and repairs, while supporting India’s export potential and transforming the country into a defines manufacturing and export powerhouse.
As India continues its journey towards self-reliance in defence, AeroSpace Services India stands as a trusted partner. By combining Israeli technology with Indian ingenuity, ASI not only strengthens India’s national security but also lays the groundwork for global leadership in defence exports. With ASI, India’s defence is in the hands of a company that understands its unique challenges and aspirations, ensuring a future of innovation, independence, and unmatched readiness, Danny said.
-The writer is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on international and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily carry the views of Raksha Anirveda
