normalization and after 257such as upgrades, small arms, border management, intelligence coopera-
tion, naval patrol, and counterterrorism. India’s search for technological
modernization and Israel’s needs for economizing defense research are
complementary and should lay the foundation for sustained long- term
partnership. Both countries share certain common objectives in pursuing
their strategic policies and seek technological in de pen dence and qualita-
tive superiority over their adversaries. The numerous strategic programs
currently pursued by both countries are complementary. These include
Lavi (India’s Light Combat Aircraft), Merkava (Arjun tank), Jericho- I mis-
sile (Prithvi), and Jericho- II missile (Agni). The same can be said about a
number of other Indian programs, including remotely pi loted vehicles
(RPVs) and an airborne early- warning system. Although Israel has an
edge in several of these arenas, India has acquired considerable experi-
ence and expertise in space and satellite programs.
Because of increasing acts of terrorism and cross- border infi ltration,
Israeli expertise in intelligence gathering, innovative and proactive coun-
terterrorism policies, and electronic surveillance along international
borders have become key areas of cooperation.^54 India has adapted some
of the Israeli techniques and methods in combating threats emanating
from across the international border and line of control with Pakistan.
Israel is one of the few countries with whom India has carried out regu-
lar discussions on counterterrorism within the framework of Joint Work-
ing Group. On the very day that terrorists struck the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon in September 2001, Israeli National Security Adviser
Major General Uzi Dayan was holding high- level discussions with Indian
offi cials in New Delhi on terrorism.
Some of the major defense deals involving both the countries since
1992 include the procurement of the Barak anti- missile system; import
of Heron UAVs and searcher drones; the upgrading of aging MiG fi ghter
planes; import of two Super Dvora Mk II fast attack craft (FACs) and
licensed production of four more at Goa Shipyard; purchase of three
Phalcon advance airborne early- warning systems at an estimated cost of
US$1.1 billion; a series of defense contracts estimated at $2 billion for the
supply of long- range surveillance equipment, night- vision hardware,
and ammunition, signed in August 2001;^55 a US$2.5 billion program to
jointly develop missile defenses, agreed to in July 2007;^56 and the Janu-
ary 2008 Indian launch of an Israeli spy satellite into orbit.
In May 2007, in an unpre ce dented move, Defense Minister A. K. An-
tony informed the parliament that defense purchases from Israel during