(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Since the conflict between Palestine and Israel erupted about nine months ago, India has emerged as one of the top arms suppliers to Israel.
Weapons and bombs produced by India’s defense industry have been utilized by the Israeli occupying forces to continue their atrocities and illegal occupation of Palestine and parts of southern Lebanon.
Israel not only receives weapon supplies from its principal ally, the United States, but India has also become a major contributor to the armament of the Tel Aviv regime.
This fact was revealed by the Israeli newspaper, Yediot Aharonoth.
According to the publication, Spanish authorities in May last year prevented the cargo ship “Marianne Danica” from docking at the port of Cartagena on its voyage to an Israeli port.
The vessel, originating from Madras, was found to be carrying 27 tons of various ammunition for the Israeli military, underscoring India’s role alongside the United States as a primary arms supplier to Israel, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian and southern Lebanese civilians.
In February last year, Indian media for the first time reported that the country had supplied Israel with Hermes 900 drones manufactured in its Hyderabad factory.
According to Indian media reports, the Hyderabad facility, constructed by Israel to supply drones to the Indian military, produced 20 Hermes 900 drones for the Israeli forces, who were facing a drone shortage due to the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
The Hyderabad factory is a joint venture between Israeli defense company, Elbit Systems, and Indian billionaire, Gautam Adani.
It marks the first Israeli drone manufacturing facility outside of Israel.
The Israeli newspaper reported that the decision to supply bombs and other weaponry, including the Hermes 900 drones, to Israel was likely approved by India’s highest leadership.
For Israel, India, with its large Muslim population of approximately 100 million, remains one of its closest allies.
The Hermes 900, also known as “Kochav,” is one of the most sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets possessed by the Israeli military and was designed and developed by Elbit Systems.
In addition to ISR missions, the Israeli Hermes 900 drone is also involved in target identification missions, ISTAR, and aerial monitoring.
The Israeli military extensively uses drones, including the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450, to target vehicles and residences of Hezbollah leaders and other armed Palestinian groups in southern Lebanon.
The Hermes 900 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone with a wingspan of 15 meters and a Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) of 1,180kg.
Operated by the Israeli Air Force’s 166 Squadron, the Hermes 900 can carry a payload of up to 350kg and fly up to 30,000 feet.
It is equipped with various sensors and payloads including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), maritime radar, signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems, and Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities.
The drone can fly for 36 hours in a single flight, enabling it to conduct extended and long-range missions.
The Hermes 900 has been in service with the Israeli Air Force since 2012 and was deployed by Israel during its conflict with Palestine in 2014.
To date, Hezbollah fighters have shot down six Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 drones in southern Lebanon. — DSA