India recently finalised a major defence contract, purchasing Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems worth 29.6 billion rupees (approximately $340 million) from Bharat Dynamics, a partner of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This significant acquisition will enhance the capabilities of the Indian Navy, with the systems being installed on most of its future warships.
The MRSAM systems, a customized version of Israel’s Barak 8 air defense system, offer protection against a range of aerial threats. Equipped with advanced phased-array radar, command-and-control systems, mobile launchers, and interceptors featuring cutting-edge radio frequency sensors, the system can track over 1,000 threats simultaneously within a range of 70 kilometers.
The deal aligns with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Made in India” policy, which emphasizes local production and job creation. Reports suggest the contract will generate around 350,000 workdays, reinforcing the country’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. IAI’s subsidiary, Aerospace Services India (ASI), based in New Delhi, oversees the MRSAM program in India, conducting transactions in the local currency and ensuring seamless collaboration.
Meanwhile, Elbit America, a subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems, has announced a $139 million contract to continue producing “Google-Binocular” (ENVG-B) night vision devices for the U.S. Army. The devices, known for their ability to operate effectively in low-light and no-light conditions, will be manufactured at Elbit’s facility in Roanoke, Virginia, with deliveries extending through December 2026.
Since 2020, Elbit America has delivered over 25,000 ENVG-B units, which enhance soldiers’ situational awareness in extreme weather and challenging visibility. Eric Fox, Vice President of Combat Systems at Elbit America, emphasized the value these devices bring to soldiers, allowing them to perform critical missions regardless of environmental conditions.
Another notable development comes from Plasan Sasa, an Israeli company near the Lebanese border, which is deepening its collaboration with South Korean defense giant Hanwha. The partnership focuses on developing protection systems for Hanwha’s K9 Thunder cannons and K10 vehicles, with Romania as a primary target market. Romania recently finalized a $1 billion deal with Hanwha for protection kits for 54 K9 cannons and 36 K10 vehicles, which are NATO-standard artillery systems known for their impressive range of 360 kilometers.
This partnership, initiated in 2022, initially involved protective solutions for Australian military equipment, including Huntsman AS9 cannons and Redback armoured personnel carriers. Despite damage to its factory during the Iron Sword War, Plasan Sasa has continued to innovate, launching the Top Attack Protection System (TAPS) last year. Designed to safeguard vehicles from aerial threats such as drones, TAPS is a lightweight addition to existing defences and has undergone successful testing with Western armies.
Image credit: Defense Update
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