India-Israel joint venture Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) has rolled out its first batch of medium range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) kits for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force marking a major step forward in the country’s goal to increase self-reliance in defence production.

"The roll-out event marked KRAS' commitment to deliver more than 1,000 MRSAM 'missile kits' for the Indian Army and the Air Force over the coming years," the company said.

These missile sections will then be forwarded to state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for further and future integration, it added.

KRAS is a joint venture between India's Kalyani group and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

The company said it has fused Rafael's state-of the-art technology with the engineering excellence of the Kalyani group.

Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director, Kalyani group, said, "We are confident to complete the order (for MRSAM kits) far ahead of the stipulated time, and support the armed forces with the best in class missile kits."

"Apart from the missile kits, we will extend our support in maintenance and repair operations as in-service Air Defence Missile System for the armed forces," he added. “This is beginning of a new era with a marked step-change in technological expertise and a collective demonstration of capability to be the global manufacturing hub for defence products, Kalyani added.

Executive vice president and Head of Air and Missile Defence Systems division of Rafael Brig Gen (retired) Pinhas Yungman said KRAS is keen on exporting the MRSAM kits. KRAS is focused on the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of the state-of the-art weapon systems being inducted by the defence forces. It also wants to focus on Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) segment.

Growing India-Israel defence ties

Israel and India are deepening defence industry ties as Israeli companies seek long-term partnerships through India’s efforts to encourage products to be locally produced under joint ventures.

Israel Aerospace Industries and India’s Bharat Electronics Limited had last year signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new centre for technical and maintenance support for India’s air defense systems. In addition, IAI signed a strategic collaboration memorandum with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Dynamatic Technologies Limited to work on UAVs that will be made in India.

Israel’s arms sales have surpassed more than $1 billion annually, which has also strengthened the bilateral strategic partnership. The two countries are now moving to the next phase of joint defence production in India.