Bengaluru/Tel Aviv: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s leading aerospace and defence company, and Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the leading manufacturer of defence electronic products and systems for India’s defense sector, have concluded the agreements to form a joint venture that will extend product support services for India’s Defence Forces. The announcement was made by Minister of State, Defence Ajay Bhat during the Aero India 2023 being held at Bengaluru. An agreement was signed by BEL and IAI in this regard on February 14 in Aero India in Bengaluru, India .
The partnership is another significant step in the relationship between the two companies that have a long history of association. The two companies are engaging in several joint programs that will be delivered to Indian Defence Forces. The new joint venture is being established for providing life cycle support services for MRSAM air-defence systems in the country. The new venture will have its head quarters in New Delhi, India and will provide the required technical and maintenance support to Indian Armed Forces, including the Air Force, Navy and Army.
MRSAM is an advanced path-breaking air and missile defence system that provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms. It is used by the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Israeli Defence Forces. The system includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, command and control shelter, mobile launchers and interceptors with an advanced RF seeker. MRSAM is jointly developed by IAI and DRDO in collaboration with India and Israel for India’s Defence Forces.
Establishing the Joint Venture is a strong demonstration of IAI’s support to the Indian government’s MAKE IN INDIA – “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision as well as its commitment to the strong partnership with DRDO in developing and supporting advanced systems for the Indian Armed Forces. This cooperation will leverage the synergetic capabilities of both IAI and BEL, which have already been proven throughout the years in other collaborations.
Ajay Bhat, Minister of State, Defence said, “Israel is a very important strategic partner for India and the successful development and deployment of MRSAM System for the Indian Defence forces is a shining example for the successful joint colaboration between the two countries. The Joint Venture between the two prestigeous Companies of India and Israel will certainly play a very important role as a single point of Contact in delivering all the the product support services for the MRSAM Systems for the Indian Defence forces and a driving force for the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of Government of India.”
Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD BEL commented, “BEL considers IAI, Israel as a very important strategic partner . This Joint Venture between BEL and IAI, Israel is expected to play a pivotal role in delivering the Product Support services for MRSAM Systems and also enable substantial indigenous workshare with active participation of Indian supply chain, contributing to the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives of Government of India.”
Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO said, “Our joint venture with BEL will leverage the best technology, innovation and talent to provide services matching the needs of our customers in India. It follows our announcement in 2022 about the opening of Aerospace Services India (ASI), IAI subsidiary in New Delhi, India, both of which illustrate our support of the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and investment in India.”
