In an exclusive interview with Raksha Anirveda’s Consulting Editor, Asad Mirza, Moshe Levy Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group (MAG) of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), shed light on the IAI’s ties with India, spanning decades and the collaborative ties with the Military Aircraft Group (MAG), in particular.
Moshe Levy is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group (MAG) of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI). Moshe joined IAI in 2012 after a military career spanning 25 years in the Israeli Air Force Technical Corps, where he held a number of key positions. He retired from the IDF with the rank of Colonel.
Moshe began his career in IAI as Deputy Manager of the MALAT Division and Director of Strategic UAV Programs. He then served as Director of the Rakia Division from 2014 to 2017, when he became General Manager of the MALAT Division until his appointment as Executive VP and GM of the MAG.
Shedding light on MAG, Moshe said that basically MAG is focused on UAVs. IAI has by far been the biggest supplier of UAVs to India, or in other words India is IAI’s most important customer, with IAI fully committed to this market. Moshe further said that despite challenges back home, IAI is in constant touch with its Indian customers to support them and work out the best plans for India through service and customer support, as for IAI its customers take precedence over every other issue.
MAG is focussed on UAVs. IAI has by far been the biggest supplier of UAVs to India, or in other words India is IAI’s most important customer, with IAI fully committed to this market. Moshe further said that despite challenges back home, IAI is in constant touch with its Indian customers to support them and work out the best plans for India through service and customer support
The Heron MKII is the latest UAV of the Heron family, with long duration, strength and an increased capacity for heavier payloads due to its powerful engine, with increased electronics and surveillance capacities, all in all a completely up-to-date machine, or in Moshe’s words, the strongest bird in the market now, and it can completely meet the Indian needs and demands.
Commenting on Indian UAV strength, Moshe commented that India very early on identified the potential and usage of the UAVs and it certainly has one of the largest UAV fleets in the world. Elucidating further Moshe was of the view that though he does not anticipate the UAVs taking over fighter planes in the wars of the future, yet he was sure that they will play a predominant role in the future wars due to their ability to lessen the number of human fatalities in any given situation.
Commenting on Indian UAV strength, Moshe commented that Indian very early on identified the potential and usage of the UAVs and it certainly has one of the largest UAV fleets in the world
Alongside the increased precision capabilities of the UAVs, increasing day by day, Moshe was of the view that utilising UAVs also reduces the potential for collateral damage. In addition to operating in a hostile environment, Moshe felt that now-a-days UAVs are also being used in civilian work, like inspection of high voltage transmission lines or assuring you of last mile delivery in delivering critical medical help of being deployed in an hard terrain, is helping moves to see UAVs as machines of the future with both defence and civilian needs met with lesser operational and human costs.
Commenting on IAI’s relationship with Indian defence forces, Moshe said that India is IAI’s biggest customer, IAI works together with its customers across India and tries to marry the Indian demands with the latest technology available with IAI, as he felt that collaborating and fulfilling your customer’s needs are of utmost importance. Giving an example Moshe said that operating in high altitude is a challenge for the Indian Army and the Air Force– an area on which IAI is currently focussing on.
Commenting on IAI’s relationship with Indian defence forces, Moshe said that India is IAI’s biggest customer, IAI works together with its customers across India and tries to marry the Indian demands with the latest technology available with IAI, as he felt that collaborating and fulfilling your customer’s needs are of utmost importance
Additionally, Moshe said, learning from the recent break-up of the global supply chain, IAI moved many parts of its ecosystem to India, resulting in increased manufacturing capabilities in India with Indian partners, so in a manner IAI is striving hard to accommodate the demands of the Indian defence forces and the Government of India.
-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
