India, Israel work on more defense cooperation projects

Visiting Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said here on Sunday that Israel is working out more cooperation projects with India in cutting-edge defence technologies and co-developing a number of key weapon systems.

Winding up his four-day visit here, Ya'alon said at a public function that the two countries have agreed to co-develop Barak 8 missile defense system and work on another key project of aerial defense systems.

Ya'alon described his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as very "satisfying."

Israel is considering setting up manufacturing bases in India for certain weapons systems and military hardware, in response to New Delhi's appeal to foreign investors to help the country build a strong defense industry.

India is Israel's largest buyer of military hardware and has purchased airborne warning aircraft and anti-tank missiles from the state.

This was the first visit by any Israeli defense minister to India since the two established full diplomatic ties in 1992, a sign of rapidly warming up relations since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power last May.

India has also asked Israel to provide cyber space technologies to boost security on the Internet.

Israel participated with an impressive display of its defense products at the Aero India 2015 air show in the southern city Bangalore last week. Endi