Aero India: Ahead of the ongoing biennial air show and aviation exhibition, Aero India 2023, the Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have concluded a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to form a joint venture aiming at a single point of contact for extending long-term product support services for India’s defence forces.

According to the official statement released by BEL, it said that the announcement was made by Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhat at Aero India at Yelahanka Air Force Station.

‘Partnership to strengthen relations between both companies’

The partnership is another significant step in cementing the relationship between the two companies that have a long BEL, history of the association, it said.

BEL is a ‘Navratna’ company which is a leading manufacturer of defence electronic products and systems. Whereas, IAI a top aerospace and defence company in Israel, is engaged in several joint programmes for the Indian armed forces.

Moreover, the partnership/joint venture is being established for providing life cycle support for MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) air defence systems in the country.

Headquarters in Delhi

It will have its headquarters in the national capital New Delhi and provide the required technical and maintenance support to the armed forces, the statement said.

Further, it said that MRSAM is an advanced air and missile defence system that provides protection against a variety of aerial platforms. It is used by the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Israeli Defence Forces.

Adding more information, the statement said that the system includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, command and control shelter, mobile launchers and interceptors with an advanced RF seeker. MRSAM is jointly developed by IAI and DRDO in collaboration with India and Israel for India’s defence forces.

A vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

Through this joint venture, IAI reiterates its support for the Indian government’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India). It also goes a long way in demonstrating the company’s commitment to the strong partnership with DRDO in developing and supporting advanced systems for the Indian armed forces, the statement read, adding the cooperation will leverage synergies of both IAI and BEL.

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Israel is very imp. strategic partner: Union Minister Bhat

In the statement, the union minister of state for the defence said, “Israel is a very important strategic partner of India and the successful development and deployment of the MRSAM system for the Indian defence forces is a shining example of the successful joint collaboration between the two countries.”

The joint venture between two prestigious companies from India and Israel will certainly play a very important role as a single point of contact in delivering product support services for MRSAM systems, the minister added. It will be a driving force for the ‘Make in India’ policy, minister Bhat said.

BEL CMD’s stance on the partnership

BEL CMD Bhanu Prakash Srivastava said the top defence PSU considers IAI as a very important strategic partner.

“This joint venture between the two companies is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring timely product support services for MRSAM systems and enable substantial indigenous workshare with the active participation of the Indian supply chain,” he said.

Earlier, IAI’s President and CEO, Boaz Levy said, “Our joint venture with BEL will leverage the best technology, innovation and talent to provide services matching the needs of our customers in India”.

“It follows our announcement in 2022 about the opening of Aerospace Services India (ASI), an IAI subsidiary in New Delhi, both of which illustrate our support of the Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and investment in India,” he said.