ISRAEL: Military ties with India

A previous posting noted improved US.India relations, implicitly as a move against Pakistani Muslims. Now Israel has entered the equation, with the sale of Phalcon radar to India (Reuters, 5/30/03). India is set to buy airborne Phalcon early warning radar systems from Israel in the biggest arms deal since the two countries established full diplomatic relations 11 years ago, an Indian official said. "We are on track on the Phalcons," the defense ministry official said. Israel, which has rapidly emerged as India's second-largest arms supplier after Russia, is also negotiating the sale to India of sophisticated anti-ballistic Arrow missiles. Analysts say the deepening defense relationship between India and Israel is part of a push to forge tighter links between the two countries, who both see themselves as fighting Islamic terrorism that is supported by hostile neighbors. "Stronger India-Israel relations have a natural logic," said G. Parthasarthy, a former Indian diplomat. Washington this month dropped its objection to the US$1.2 billion sale of Phalcon radars, which will be mounted on Russian-built aircraft to watch the border with Pakistan.

Ronald Hilton - 6/3/03