Israel and India Strengthen Defense Ties

United by “shared challenges of terrorism,” Israel and India are moving to deepen their already robust security cooperation. The two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 4 to expand their “defense, industrial, and technological cooperation,” according to the Israeli and Indian ministries of defense. This agreement helps address core security needs of both nations and advances key American interests in two regions.

Increased Military Cooperation

The MOU addresses joint production of military equipment and increased bilateral collaboration related to training, science, technology, research, and development, including in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, among other topics. “We view India as a first-rate strategic partner and are determined to continue deepening cooperation,” Israel Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram said.

The agreement was signed during Indian Defense Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh’s visit to Tel Aviv. The Indian delegation met with leading Israeli defense companies, including Elbit Systems, Rafael Defense, and Israeli Aerospace Industries. Just days prior, these and other Israeli companies participated in Aero India 2025, exhibiting UAVs and satellites, as well as air defense and electronic warfare systems, many of which performed well in combat. In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious plan to deploy an advanced air and missile defense system that could benefit from Israeli technology, experience, and capabilities.

Longstanding Cooperation Spurred by Common Challenges

The two governments signed the new MOU during the 17th annual meeting of the Israel-India Joint Working Group. From 2020-2024, India was the largest importer of Israeli weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). That includes, for example, radars, surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles, UAVs, and guided bombs, and Israel’s exports to India show no sign of slowing. In a deal reported last month to be worth $3.3 billion, the Indian Army is acquiring 425,000 carbine assault rifles from a joint Israeli-Indian venture.

Many of India’s military purchases are focused on threats from Pakistan and New Delhi’s border dispute with China, but Israel and India have also both suffered from regular Islamist terror attacks. That common experience helps explain the strength of the partnership. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise terror assault on Israel that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. In 2008, Pakistan-based terrorists carried out a series of attacks in Mumbai that resulted in the death of more than 165 victims.

Win-Win-Win

Israel is not the only country deepening defense cooperation with India. Despite some recent turmoil in the relationship between Washington and New Delhi, the two countries renewed a 10-year framework on October 31 during the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A few days later, American and Indian military leaders co-chaired the 22nd Military Cooperation Group in Honolulu, focusing on “logistics cooperation, enhancing military interoperability, expanding joint technology development and co-production, improving intelligence and information sharing, and strengthening regional security coordination,” according to a press release by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

That was likely welcome news in Israel, which is eager to continue to benefit from its defense cooperation with New Delhi. Israeli defense exports to India provide Israel valuable revenue and help it further strengthen its defense production capacity, supply network, and innovation enterprise, thereby helping to ensure they can be maintained when Israeli need declines once stockpiles are filled. That helps ensure production capabilities are there when domestic demand returns.

In exchange, India gains access to advanced Israeli technology and know-how as well as Israeli investments in India’s defense industrial base. That supports New Delhi’s “Make in India” initiative that seeks to increase domestic manufacturing, job creation, and self-reliance. These developments advance American interests. A strong Israel and India help both countries counter Islamist terrorists in their respective regions, while enabling Israel to carry more of the burden in countering the Islamic Republic of Iran and ensuring that India can push back against China. That is why Washington, Jerusalem, and New Delhi should deepen cooperation with each other.

Justin Leopold-Cohen is a senior research analyst at FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP), where Bradley Bowman is the senior director, and Ryan Brobst is the deputy director. For more analysis from the authors and CMPP, please subscribe HERE. Follow Brad on X @Brad_L_Bowman and Ryan @RyanBrobst_. Follow FDD on X @FDD and @FDD_CMPP. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.