India looks to buy Israeli missiles

India looks to buy Israeli missiles

News

1. A deal to procure the Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel has been brought before the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval.

Important Facts

2. Spike anti-tank guided missile:

• It is a third generation fire and forget anti-tank guided missile.
• It is developed and designed by an Israeli Company.
• It is available in man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched variants.

3. Defense Acquisition Council

• It was constituted for overall guidance of the defense procurement planning process.
• It is headed by the defense minister.

4. The current missile procurement from Israel will be through the government-to-government route.
5. The deal includes 170 launchers, 4,500 missiles and 15 simulators.
6. The earlier deal was cancelled in January and it was decided that the requirement could be met through the indigenous man-portable missile being developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
7. However, since the Army is facing shortage of anti-tank guided missiles and DRDO missed it development deadline, the government decided to go ahead with the deal.