NEW DELHI: Indo-Israeli joint ventures in the strategic field of defence technology are expected to be finalized during high-level discussions between the Two countries later this month, The areas are electronic warfare, advanced surveillance systems, missiles, military communications systems and electro optics. The Two sides will also discuss cooperation in aerospace technology.

A high-powered Israeli delegation is scheduled to discuss these issues with government officials and industrialists during its visit to New Delhi from March 31. “It is a song delegation and will leave an impact here. It is not a routine delegation,” the Israeli Charge affairs here, Giora Becher, told The Economic Times.

Israel did not want its relationship with India to remain formal should be much more significant to both sides,” he said. Israel was quite satisfied” by the way the government of India was looking at future relations between the two countries, and appreciated President Venkataramans reference to Israel in his address to Parliament, he said.

Bacher said the delegation would comprise senior representatives of several manufactures of sophisticated defence technology. Those include a manufacturer of defence related equipment, electronic warfare, missiles and related technologies, anti armor electro pics and thermal imaging, This firm is seeking a joint venture and subcontracting agreements and will appoint a regional representative in India.

Another member of the delegation is the representative of a firm involved in thermal imaging cameras, observation and surveillance systems and state-of-the-art air systems. It is seeking a joint venture agreement, local electro optical manufacturer for co-production and supply of thermal imaging, and a representative in India.

Contacts with trading companies and appointment of Indian agents working with defence-related producisison the agenda of a film dealing with communication equipment and accessories, communicationsystems,C31 systems, electronic warfare equipment and systems, real time observations systems, military telecommunications equipment, digital terminals and data links.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 13, 1992