The Indian Army, in collaboration with Israel, has signed an agreement with private defence manufacturer NIBE Limited for the supply of the advanced long-range rocket launcher system ‘Suryastra’. This agreement has been made for systems with a strike range of 150 km and 300 km.
- The Indian Army, in collaboration with Israel, has signed a ₹293 crore contract with private defence manufacturer NIBE Limited for the supply of an advanced long-range rocket launcher system ‘Suryastra’ with a strike range of 150 km and 300 km.
- This system, Suryastra, is India’s first Made in India universal multi-calibre rocket launcher, capable of carrying out precise surface-to-surface strikes up to a distance of 300 km.
Features of ‘Suryastra’
- This system achieves a high level of accuracy with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than five metres during trials.
- The same launcher is also capable of firing loitering munitions up to a range of 100 km, which increases operational flexibility. The Israeli defence firm has said that it plans to supply the first batch of LMGs to India in early next year.
- In July, 2025, the defence manufacturer signed a Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) with Israeli defence major Elbit Systems to manufacture the advanced universal rocket launcher system (SURYA) in India.
- This is the first time that a high-precision rocket launcher system with a strike range of up to 300 km is being manufactured in the country, supporting the government’s emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- On 26 December, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Ministry of Defence approved a proposal allowing the defence forces to sign contracts under Emergency Procurement (EP) powers till 15 January, 2026.
- Under EP provisions, the armed forces can procure weapon systems worth up to ₹300 crore on an immediate basis without any further approval. Delivery must begin within six months and be completed within one year from the date of the contract.
Major weapons purchased by India from Israel
- Barak-1 and Barak-8: Short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems acquired in the early 2000s.
- SPYDER: The surface-to-air Python-5 Derby (SPYDER) quick-reaction SAM system provides air defence for critical installations and areas.
- Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM): The Indian Army and Air Force use Spike missiles, which are “fire-and-forget” anti-tank missiles.
- SPICE-2000 guided bombs: These precision-guided munitions were used notably in the 2019 Balakot air strikes.
- Python-5 and Derby: These are beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) integrated into Indian fighter aircraft such as the Tejas LCA.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
- Heron and Searcher: Under ‘Project Cheetah’, many of these are being upgraded with strike capabilities.
- Harop: These are loitering munitions, also known as “suicide drones”, which destroy enemy radar stations and targets by crashing into them.
- Hermes 900: India has ordered Hermes 900 tactical UAVs, some of which are being manufactured at a joint venture facility in Hyderabad.
Radar and electronic systems
- Phalcon AWACS: India has purchased three EL/M-2075 Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).
- MF-STAR and EL/M-2032 radar: Various ground and naval platforms, including Indian Navy destroyers and Tejas fighter aircraft, use advanced Israeli multi-function surveillance, tracking and fire-control radars.
SIPRI Report
- According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) based in Sweden, Russia remains the largest supplier of equipment and systems to the Indian armed forces.
- According to trends, “India is shifting its arms supply relationships towards Western suppliers, especially France, Israel and the USA.”
- SIPRI identified 162 states as major arms importers in 2020–24. The top five arms importers—Ukraine, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan—accounted for 35 percent of global arms imports during this period.
- The United States was the world’s largest arms exporter ever in 2020–24, with a 43 percent share of global arms exports.
