Why The Evolving US Israel Security Alliance Is A Win For New Delhi
TEL AVIV- As the United States shifts its security partnership with Israel toward advanced defense technologies rather than conventional arms sales, India is well positioned to benefit because of its growing defense and technology ties with both countries, according to an analysis published in The Times of Israel.
Saurav Dutt, an author and global affairs commentator, wrote that recent US defense legislation is laying the foundation for a deeply integrated defense innovation ecosystem with Israel rather than a traditional military alliance, a development he said could work to India’s strategic advantage.
According to Dutt, India has emerged as one of Israel’s closest defense partners over the past two decades, purchasing more than $10 billion worth of Israeli defense equipment, including airborne early warning aircraft, Barak missile systems, Heron drones, Harop loitering munitions and other advanced defense technologies. He noted that Israel has consistently ranked among India’s largest defense suppliers.
The analysis said increased US investment is expected to accelerate Israeli defense innovation through larger research budgets, deeper industrial collaboration and greater access to American laboratories. Dutt said India could eventually benefit from these advances through its own expanding strategic partnerships.
The analysis noted that the United States has already built a similar technology cooperation framework with India through the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-US President Joe Biden in 2023, to promote collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, telecommunications, space and defense innovation. It also cited the US-India INDUS-X initiative, which connects startups, investors, defense companies and governments to encourage joint development and co-production.
The analysis added that India has expanded technology cooperation with Israel through the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F), along with additional collaboration on critical and emerging technologies led by the two countries’ National Security Advisors.
Highlighting India’s position, the analysis said few countries maintain advanced technology partnerships with both Washington and Jerusalem, giving India a strategic advantage that few others can match. (IANS)
