Обломки зданий, пострадавших в результате ракетных ударов ВС Израиля по Газе - Sputnik India, 1920
Israel-Hamas war

Israel May Turn to India for Weapon Supplies if US Pulls Plug

© AFP 2023 Mohammed AbedAftermath of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza
Aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza - Sputnik India, 1920, 13.12.2023
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The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas entered its third month last week, with the Israeli media claiming that the war operations in Gaza could last up to a year.
Indian manufacturers of military equipment could "reap the benefits" of a prolonged war between Israel and Hamas if the United States fails to sustain the supply of arms and ammunition to Tel Aviv, two Indian Army veterans have shared with Sputnik.
The comments of Lieutenant-Colonel (retd) J.S. Sodhi and Major Manik M. Jolly come at a time when Israel has intensified combat operations in Southern Gaza, especially in the Hamas stronghold of Khan Younis city.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed that IDF would not leave the densely-populated coastal enclave before "accomplishing their goal", which is to "destroy Hamas' military and political leadership."

IDF's military operation in the besieged Palestinian territory has killed over 18,400 people, mostly women and children, sparking anger in the Arab world and elsewhere. In Israel, the conflict has resulted in around 1,200 so far.

Though there was a brief lull in hostilities between the two sides after a Qatar-brokered ceasefire led to the release of over 100 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian citizens imprisoned in Israeli jails, IDF's combat operations restarted after the deal expired earlier this month.

Israel Could Import Weapons From India If US Stops Supplies

In this light, Sodhi pointed out that India could come to Israel's rescue if the US failed to supply weapons to Tel Aviv if the war in Gaza raged on for a prolonged period.
"Though the USA is supplying weapons to Israel at this point of time but the supply can't be assured if the war prolongs as America has to supply weapons to Ukraine too. Hence, Israel will have to import weapons from other countries including India, if it has to keep the momentum against Hamas in a long war," Sodhi says.

"A [prolonged] war between Israel and Hamas will 'benefit' the Indian defence firms as Israel will need more weapons if its war against Hamas prolongs. Any country generally has War Wastage Reserves (WWR) for 30 days and if a war prolongs then it is imperative to import/manufacture more weapons to meet the WWR," the retired Indian Army officer said.

On the other hand, another former Indian Army officer, Major Jolly assumed that the key to this advantage lies in creating solutions that are specific for this war, which will be a shade different from the conventional solutions that are on offer now by Indian firms.

"The tweaking may be basic or advanced, but a proactive change in these offerings may bear long and short-term benefits for the sellers," Jolly explained.

Close Ties Between Indian and Israeli Defence Sectors

It is no secret that some Indian private-sector defence companies have joint ventures with Israel.
For instance, Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems is a JV of Bharat Forge and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
While Bharat Forge is an Indian multinational company famous for producing the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), touted as the "World's Best Artillery Gun", Rafael Advanced Defence Systems is an Israeli defence technology company best known for manufacturing Israel's Spike anti-tank missiles.
Moreover, Adani Defence And Aerospace, part of billionaire Gautam Adani's business empire, who is perceived to be close to India's top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has a tie-up with Israel's Elbit Systems.
Elbit Systems is the main supplier of land-based hardware to Israel's military.
Besides, it is the primary source of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the IDF.
Palestinians fleeing the north along Salaheddine road help a man with a bandaged leg as they walk in front of Israeli army tanks in the Zeitoun district on the southern outskirts of Gaza City on November 24, 2023, following a four-day ceasefire that began early in the morning. - Sputnik India, 1920, 13.12.2023
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