India has exported military drones to Israel that are capable of launching bombs, tightening its embrace of Israel while potentially undermining its support for Palestine. The move also complicates India's position on the ongoing war in Gaza, where Israeli drones have bombed targets and killed civilians.
News that Israel has imported 20 India-made Hermes 900 drones from Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India, a Hyderabad-based joint venture between India's Adani Enterprises and Israeli military technology firm Elbit Systems, was first reported by defence industry business publication Shephard in early February.
It has since been covered by various Indian media outlets, but the Indian government has kept mum on the sale.
The drones are believed to be the first Indian defence export to Israel. The deal marks a milestone in New Delhi's strategic relationship with Israel, which, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, has emerged as one of India's top four defence suppliers, along with Russia, the United States and France.
It is also a significant step for the Indian government in its bid to reduce the country's reliance on foreign defence imports while boosting exports from its growing indigenous military industry.
But the move has attracted criticism from some Indian politicians and worker unions, who have described the export of drones as contrary to India's calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and its support for a two-state solution.
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