India eyes Israeli laser, missile systems to build multi-layered air defence shield: Report

Iron Beam is capable of intercepting drones, rockets and mortar shells at a fraction of the cost of conventional missile interceptors, reportedly just a few dollars per shot, making it an attractive addition to layered air defence grids. (File photo)

• India to strengthen defense ties with Israel, focus on advanced tech
• New MoU to boost joint development and tech transfer in defence
• Israel arms deals worth $8.6B set for India by 2026

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India is set to expand its defence partnership with Israel, with a sharp focus on advanced drones, long-range strike systems and high-energy laser weapons, as it works to build a robust, multi-layered air defence shield capable of countering future missile and drone threats from Pakistan.

The push comes in the wake of last year’s Operation Sindoor, during which India deployed several Israeli-origin systems against terror infrastructure and military assets across the border. According to officials cited in a Times of India report, the experience has accelerated plans to integrate cutting-edge Israeli technologies into India’s evolving security architecture.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to advance these discussions during his two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday. This will be his second trip to the country since 2017.

A fresh memorandum of understanding (MoU) on security cooperation is likely to be signed, with a strong emphasis on joint development, co-production and technology transfer.

Focus on laser-based air defence

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a 30-kilowatt high-energy laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), known as the Mk-II(A) system. However, Israel has moved ahead operationally with its 100-kilowatt-class ‘Iron Beam’ system, designed to complement the Iron Dome missile shield, states the report.

Iron Beam is capable of intercepting drones, rockets and mortar shells at a fraction of the cost of conventional missile interceptors, reportedly just a few dollars per shot, making it an attractive addition to layered air defence grids.

India is also concurrently developing an indigenous multi-tier air defence framework, code-named ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, aimed at protecting major cities and critical installations by 2035. The architecture is expected to integrate systems such as the Barak-8 MR-SAM and LR-SAM, enhanced with artificial intelligence, advanced sensors and cyber-defence mechanisms. Collaboration with Israel could help India incorporate capabilities comparable to Iron Dome, Arrow and David’s Sling systems.

Strategic alignment

Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the growing strategic convergence between the two countries.

"Prime Minister Modi will deliver a speech in the Knesset. The fabric of this relationship has grown tighter, and he is coming here so that we can tighten it further through a series of decisions related to strengthening cooperation between our governments and countries," Netanyahu said.

“This includes economic, diplomatic and security cooperation,” he added.

Signalling a broader geopolitical vision, Netanyahu spoke of creating a “hexagon” of partnerships involving India, Arab nations, African countries, Mediterranean partners such as Greece and Cyprus, and other Asian nations.

Expanding defence trade

The proposed MoU will build on an agreement signed last November during Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh’s visit to Israel, when both sides agreed to boost collaboration through joint development and co-production of advanced defence technologies.

According to a report by Forbes India, Israel has agreed to arms deals worth $8.6 billion with India in 2026, making it India’s largest weapons supplier after France. The reported package includes SPICE 1000 precision-guided bombs manufactured by Rafael, Rampage air-to-surface missiles with a range of 250 km, Air LORA air-launched ballistic missiles and the IceBreaker missile system with a range of up to 300 km.

If formalised, the new agreements could significantly strengthen India’s air and missile defence capabilities while deepening its strategic partnership with Israel amid shifting regional security dynamics.