Israel-based SK Group is a leading holding company known for driving innovation across multiple strategic industries. Its portfolio comprises globally recognised companies such as Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), Meprolight, Camero-Tech, Israel Shipyards, Israel Shipyards Port, Uni-Scope Optical Solutions and Oshira. Collectively, these companies are unified by a commitment to innovation and operational excellence. SK Group’s companies serve military, law enforcement and civilian markets in more than 60 countries worldwide.
Ronen Hamudot, Vice Chairman of SK Group (IWI’s parent company), has held several key roles during his 16-year association with the company, including Vice President – Marketing and Sales and Marketing Manager.
In an exclusive interview with Raksha Anirveda, Ronen Hamudot offers insights into IWI’s strategic decisions that have led to its longstanding presence in the Indian market. The discussion highlights the company’s long-term commitment aligned with India’s evolving defence requirements, its pragmatic approach towards contributing to domestic capability development, future plans with its Indian partner, new product launches, and IWI’s global business outlook for 2026 and beyond. Excerpts follow.
Raksha Anirveda (RA): Can you walk us through Israel Weapon Industries’ (IWI) longstanding presence in the Indian market, particularly the key milestones and transitions the company has undergone over the past decade to adapt to local defence needs?
Ronen Hamudot (RH): In keeping with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, IWI made a strategic decision over a decade ago to invest in local manufacturing technologies to support India’s goal of strengthening domestic defence production. Over the years, we have continually adapted our products to meet the specific operational requirements of our Indian customers, including adjustments to product characteristics and performance parameters. This long-term commitment has enabled us to align closely with India’s evolving defence needs, while contributing meaningfully to the development of domestic capabilities.
This long-term commitment has enabled us to align closely with India’s evolving defence needs, while contributing meaningfully to the development of domestic capabilities. In keeping with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, IWI made a strategic decision over a decade ago to invest in local manufacturing technologies to support India’s goal of strengthening domestic defence production
RA: How has the partnership with Adani Defence evolved since its inception, and what specific collaborative efforts are underway to enhance manufacturing and technology transfer within India?
RH: Adani Defence is a highly respected player in India’s defence sector with an extensive network of partnerships, making it a natural choice for collaboration. Our shared vision is that, over time, we will manufacture in India and export to global customers. Since establishing the partnership, our two companies—through PLR—have made, and continue to make, significant investments in both technology and human capital to support the Government of India’s requirements and to strengthen the country’s defence industrial base.
Since establishing the partnership, our two companies—through PLR—have made, and continue to make, significant investments in both technology and human capital to support the Government of India’s requirements and to strengthen the country’s defence industrial base. Our shared vision is that, over time, we will manufacture in India and export to global customers
RA: Israel Weapon Industries will shortly start delivery of the first batch of LMGs early next year and is at the pre-signing stage of the contract for CQB carbines. In addition, you are also collaborating with India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and other agencies to market your products, including pistols, rifles and machine guns. Could you provide a detailed account of these developments?
RH: Unfortunately, we are not in a position to share these details at this time. However, IWI continues to invest significant effort in working closely with both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs as we pursue additional opportunities and respond to their evolving operational needs and requirements.
RA: Looking ahead to 2026, what new product launches is IWI planning, and how do these align with the evolving requirements of the Indian armed forces?
RH: We are continuously developing new small-arms solutions to meet the evolving needs of modern forces. Most recently, we introduced a new line of suppressors, and given the **strong global demand—including from India—**we intend to expand our investment in this area. We have also launched a computerised system (ARBEL) for counter-drone applications, as well as computerised systems for machine guns and the BOOST system, which ensures an uninterrupted power supply for thermal sights, as standard batteries are quickly depleted. Regarding additional developments, we will share further details once these programmes are completed.
We have also launched a computerised system (ARBEL) for counter-drone applications, as well as computerised systems for machine guns and the BOOST system, which ensures an uninterrupted power supply for thermal sights, as standard batteries are quickly depleted. Regarding additional developments, we will share further details once these programmes are completed
RA: The ARBEL system, integrated with the NEGEV LMG, transforms it into a counter-drone platform. Could you elaborate on its core technology and when you anticipate its introduction in the Indian market?
RH: The NEGEV ARBEL significantly reduces the weapon’s cone of fire by generating a rapid yet highly controlled rate of fire. Using sensors, advanced algorithms and an electronic trigger, the system automatically adjusts the firing rate based on engagement distance, ensuring far greater precision and lethality.
RA: Given the unique operational challenges in India, are there plans to develop an India-specific version of the Anti-Drone ARBEL system? Have discussions begun regarding its adoption?
RH: Yes, we are continuously reviewing and refining our existing solutions to ensure they can be tailored to customers’ operational needs. The ARBEL system already complies with all required environmental standards, including those relevant to India, and we remain fully committed to aligning its capabilities with the specific conditions in which Indian forces operate.
RA: How does IWI envision its global business outlook for 2026 and beyond, particularly in terms of market expansion, R&D investments and navigating geopolitical shifts?
RH: In recent years, evolving conflicts such as the Russia–Ukraine war, Azerbaijan–Armenia clashes, and Israel’s ‘Iron Swords’ operation have highlighted new battlefield requirements. As a leader in the Israeli market, we have adapted our products to meet the demands of prolonged combat. Following successful trials in India, the Indian Ministry of Defence selected our systems. In response, we have increased R&D investments to develop broader solutions that address both current and future operational needs.
IWI has integrated a unique computerised system—the only one of its kind globally—that enables machine guns to deliver highly accurate fire at both short and long ranges. This makes them an optimal solution for close and distant engagements, including the ability to engage moving targets, which remains a major capability gap in many armies worldwide
RA: Building on your experience in India, how has IWI balanced indigenisation requirements under ‘Make in India’ while maintaining technological superiority in joint ventures such as the one with Adani Defence?
RH: To deliver the most effective solutions, IWI has adapted its products to meet the exacting standards of the Government of India. At the same time, we are working closely with our local partner and Indian subcontractors to optimise costs, ensuring the final offering is competitively priced and fully compliant with ‘Make in India’ requirements.
RA: For the ARBEL NEGEV, how does the system’s ability to combine LMG suppressive fire with rifle-level accuracy address the demands of close- and mid-range engagements?
RH: Machine guns are inherently high-rate-of-fire weapons and traditionally lack precision. IWI has integrated a **unique computerised system—the only one of its kind globally—**that enables machine guns to deliver highly accurate fire at both short and long ranges. This makes them an optimal solution for close and distant engagements, including the ability to engage moving targets, which remains a major capability gap in many armies worldwide. To date, the system has been sold to several countries, and demand continues to grow. We also offer the ARBEL on the ARAD platform. Beyond India, several customers are in the process of implementing the system or have already done so globally. At present, 10–15 European countries are in various stages of implementation, and we estimate that 40–50 per cent of European countries will adopt the system by the end of 2026. Additionally, three to five Asia-Pacific countries are currently in the process of implementing the system.
RA: Reflecting on global trends, how is IWI preparing its product pipeline for 2026 to counter emerging threats such as drone swarms, and what role do partnerships in markets like India play in this strategy?
RH: Together with Adani Defence, IWI is continuously developing solutions to address evolving battlefield challenges across multiple domains. Countering drone swarms presents unique operational complexities, requiring the interception of tens or even hundreds of high-speed drones simultaneously, and we are actively working on advanced solutions in this domain.
