New Delhi: Heralding a new chapter in Indo-Israeli Defence and security cooperation, BEL IAI Aerosystems, a landmark joint venture between Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the commencement of its operations at Aero India 2025.
Both companies have established a JV, which is a significant step towards strengthening international collaboration, paving the way for a robust strategic partnership envisaged to provide a single point of contact for extending long-term product support services for India's Defence Forces.
Esteemed dignitaries and senior officials from both the nations attended the JV launch held at the BEL stall in Aero India on Wednesday. Among them were BEL CMD Manoj Jain; IAI's President & CEO Boaz Levy; BEL's Director (Bangalore Complex) & Chairman of the JV Rajnish Sharma; and IAI's VP & General Manager Air & Missile Defence Systems Oded Jacobowitz.
The JV is uniquely positioned as the exclusive support entity for post-warranty maintenance of India’s Defence Systems. This initiative leverages manufacturing capabilities and technological innovations, fostering India's self-reliance in sync with the ‘Make in India’ vision even while delivering world-class solutions.
Beyond post-warranty maintenance, this collaboration will also lead to the transfer of advanced technological capabilities to India, enabling the development of local expertise in critical defence systems. By establishing a dedicated support infrastructure, the JV will empower India to operate, maintain, and enhance its Defence systems independently. The venture’s long-term impact extends to creating job opportunities, upskilling the local workforce, and contributing to the growth of India’s Defence manufacturing ecosystem, reinforcing the nation’s position as a global defence player.
This partnership is built on a foundation of deep trust and reflects the enduring and profound relationship between India and Israel. By leveraging their extensive operational expertise and uniting it with the cutting-edge innovation inherent in both companies, the JV is poised to deliver transformative solutions.
Beyond addressing India’s current Defence needs, this collaboration strengthens bilateral ties and positions the two nations as global leaders in tackling complex challenges with robust and forward-thinking technologies.
Speaking on the occasion, Levy said: "This collaboration is a historic milestone as it marks the first-ever joint company established by leading Defence firms of Israel and India. It reflects the robust and flourishing relationship between the two nations, and we are excited about the significant contributions this venture will bring to India’s Defence capabilities. We extend our gratitude to the Tri-Services for their unwavering partnership."
While Jain said: “The launch of BEL IAI Aerosystems (the JV) ushers in a paradigm shift in providing seamless product and life cycle support for MRSAM/LRSAM systems supplied to the tri-services. The JVC reflects the strategic partnership between India and Israel and the commitment of BEL and IAI to jointly provide state-of-the-art weapon systems and life cycle support for the Indian Defence forces."
The JV will operate as a beacon of excellence, equipped to deliver cutting-edge support and maintenance for India’s advanced Defence systems. As a pioneering collaboration between BEL and IAI, BEL IAI Aerosystems is dedicated to empowering India’s Defence infrastructure with unmatched technological solutions and efficient support services. This historic initiative reinforces the steadfast alliance between India and Israel, advancing regional security and establishing a benchmark in global defence cooperation.
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