India Among Top Arms Suppliers to Israel, Israeli Newspaper Reports 2024

In February, Indian media first reported that New Delhi had supplied Israel with Hermes 900 drones from its Hyderabad factory, likely intended for conflicts in Palestine and southern Lebanon. Since the conflict between Palestine and Israel intensified about nine months ago, India has become one of Israel’s leading arms suppliers.

India’s Role as Top Arms Suppliers to Israel

Weapons and bombs from India’s defense industry have been used by Israeli forces in their actions and illegal occupation of Palestine and parts of southern Lebanon.

While Israel primarily relies on its main ally, the United States, for weapon supplies, India has also become a significant supplier to the Tel Aviv regime. This information was revealed by the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonoth.

According to the publication, Spanish authorities in May last year stopped the cargo ship “Marianne Danica” from docking at Cartagena on its way to an Israeli port. The vessel, originating from Madras, was carrying 27 tons of various ammunition for the Israeli military, highlighting India’s role alongside the United States as a main arms supplier to Israel. This has contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian and southern Lebanese civilians.

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Indian media first reported in February last year that the country had provided Israel with Hermes 900 drones made in its Hyderabad factory. The Hyderabad facility, built by Israel to supply drones to the Indian military, produced 20 Hermes 900 drones for the Israeli forces, who were experiencing a drone shortage due to the ongoing conflict in Palestine. This development highlights India’s significant role as one of the top arms suppliers to Israel. By becoming major arms suppliers to Israel, India has reinforced its strategic alliance with the Tel Aviv regime amidst the ongoing regional conflicts.

The Hyderabad factory, a joint venture between Israeli defense company Elbit Systems and Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, is the first Israeli drone manufacturing facility outside of Israel and highlights India’s role as one of the top arms suppliers to Israel.

The Israeli newspaper reported that the decision to supply bombs and other weaponry, including the Hermes 900 drones, to Israel was likely approved by India’s top leadership. This decision underscores India’s position as one of the principal arms suppliers to Israel. By becoming prominent arms suppliers to Israel, India has demonstrated its strategic commitment to supporting the Tel Aviv regime amidst regional conflicts.

Despite its large Muslim population of approximately 100 million, India remains one of Israel’s closest allies.

The Hermes 900, also known as “Kochav,” is a sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) asset of the Israeli military, designed and developed by Elbit Systems.

In addition to ISR missions, the Hermes 900 drone is also involved in target identification missions, ISTAR, and aerial monitoring. The Israeli military extensively uses drones, including the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450, to target vehicles and residences of Hezbollah leaders and other armed Palestinian groups in southern Lebanon.

The Hermes 900 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone with a wingspan of 15 meters and a Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) of 1,180kg. Operated by the Israeli Air Force’s 166 Squadron, the Hermes 900 can carry a payload of up to 350kg and fly up to 30,000 feet. It is equipped with various sensors and payloads including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), maritime radar, signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems, and Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities.

The drone can fly for 36 hours in a single flight, enabling it to conduct extended and long-range missions. The Hermes 900 has been in service with the Israeli Air Force since 2012 and was deployed by Israel during its conflict with Palestine in 2014. To date, Hezbollah fighters have shot down six Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 drones in southern Lebanon.