India Set to Sign Major Air Defense and Weapons Deals With Israel

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Jerusalem, India and Israel are poised to elevate their defense partnership to unprecedented heights. Reports from Indian media suggest that new agreements under discussion could range between $8 billion and $10 billion figures that would mark one of the most significant chapters in India-Israel defense cooperation.

The anticipated deals come at a pivotal moment. The 2023–2025 Middle East war demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of Israel’s air-defense systems under sustained threat. At the same time, the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict exposed New Delhi’s vulnerabilities in drones, missile defense, and cyberwarfare.

Now, India appears ready to significantly upgrade its defenses with Israel at the center of that effort.

At the heart of the discussions are all four pillars of Israel’s multilayered missile defense architecture: the Arrow system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, David’s Sling and Iron Dome produced by Rafael, and the cutting-edge Iron Beam laser defense system developed by Rafael in partnership with Elbit Systems.

While no formal announcements have been made, particular attention is reportedly focused on Iron Dome and Iron Beam. Iron Dome has become synonymous with Israel’s defensive strength, intercepting thousands of short-range rockets. Iron Beam, which uses directed-energy laser technology, represents the next frontier in cost-effective missile interception.

For India, these systems would provide layered protection against long-range ballistic missiles, medium-range rockets, cruise missiles, and short-range threats addressing the full spectrum of aerial dangers.

Currently, India operates the Russian S-400 air-defense system, along with domestically developed systems such as Akash and QRSAM, as well as the Barak system. Israeli cooperation could enhance not only interception capabilities but also detection, tracking, and integration across multiple defense layers.

Beyond defensive systems, the expected agreements extend into drone warfare. Israeli companies are global leaders in both offensive and defensive unmanned systems. A major deal is reportedly anticipated for Elbit’s Hermes 900 drone, a versatile platform capable of long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.

In the offensive sphere, further agreements are expected for advanced Israeli precision weaponry. These may include Rafael’s SPICE 1000 guidance kits, Elbit’s Rampage air-to-ground missiles, Ice Breaker naval cruise missiles, and Israel Aerospace Industries’ Air LORA supersonic missile system.

Indian reports indicate that Modi seeks to strengthen India’s ability to strike from long distances, beyond the reach of enemy air defenses capabilities that the Israeli Air Force demonstrated in June 2025 operations against Iran.

The defense relationship between India and Israel is already robust. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India accounted for 34 percent of Israel’s total defense exports between 2020 and 2024. Israel’s Defense Ministry has estimated that arms sales to India during that period reached approximately $20.5 billion.

Historically, defense sales surged between 2012 and 2017, peaking at $3.4 billion with the sale of the Barak anti-aerial threat system for Indian naval vessels. Although momentum cooled somewhat after Modi introduced the “Made in India” policy to promote domestic production, the partnership adapted.

By 2024, Israeli defense companies began investing directly in India, establishing subsidiaries and entering joint production ventures. This shift toward co-development and industrial collaboration has strengthened the long-term strategic bond between the two nations.

With renewed regional tensions affecting both countries, the defense partnership has regained momentum. The deals expected in 2026 could surpass previous records, reflecting not only commercial ties but also shared strategic interests.

In addition to air-defense and missile systems, Modi’s visit is expected to catalyze cooperation in cyber defense, artificial intelligence, and even quantum technologies. These fields represent the next generation of warfare and national security infrastructure.

India and Israel are two democracies facing complex security environments. Their growing alignment underscores mutual trust, technological synergy, and a shared determination to safeguard their citizens.

Israel’s proven defense systems and innovative spirit continue to attract global partners seeking reliability and cutting-edge capability. As these agreements take shape, they highlight Israel’s role as a leader in advanced defense technology.

Israel stands strong as a strategic partner to democracies worldwide. Share this story and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about Israel’s growing global alliances and security leadership.