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Barak probe stalls project
| Tel Aviv denied foothold in key sector |
Israel told it was being put on hold for “political reasons”
Decision after probe enters decisive phase
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) probe into the Barak missile systems deal has stalled a huge project with Israel that would have provided Tel Aviv an entry into the sensitive air defence systems sector.
Official sources said Israel had been told that the Rs.10,000-crore project for co-developing medium range surface-to-air missiles had been put on hold for “political reasons.”
The government took the decision after the CBI moved into the decisive phase of its investigations, jailing an alleged arms dealer and questioning former Defence Minister George Fernandes. The former naval chief Admiral Sushil Kumar and a close political aide of Mr. Fernandes are also named in the first information report (FIR) filed by the CBI on the Rs.1,150-crore deal for purchasing the Barak missiles meant to be installed on naval ships.
The project, with Defence Research & Development Organisation as the Indian partner, was to develop air defence missiles to replace the near obsolete Pechora, OSA-AK and Igla missile systems from the former Soviet Union.
The deal would have ensured a firm and, possibly, permanent foothold for the Israelis in this arena. Now a new lease of life has been given for the indigenously developed surface-to-air missile Akash.
But another project with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for developing a 60-km missile defence system for the Navy is still progressing with the DRDO as the Indian partner. The project cost is estimated at Rs. 2,000 crore.
Despite this setback, Israel is in the race for at least 18 projects and if Russia does not bag the 126 fighter aircraft deal, it has the potential to emerge as India’s biggest defence partner.
Among the projects Israel is a strong contender are submerged launched vehicles for the navy, micro guns for the army, autonomous and towed artillery systems to replace the Bofors guns, weapons for the Special Forces, precision guided missile and bomb guidance kits.
In the past five years, Israel had conducted defence trade worth $5 billion, according to figures presented in the Parliament.
India has already bought military equipment like Python air-to-air missiles, Crystal Maze precision guided munitions, Delilah-II air-launched cruise missiles and Gabriel-III anti-ship missiles. Israel is also involved in the upgrade of 125 MiG-21 fighters and the Navy’s Sea Harrier fighters.
The proximity began when Israel responded to India’s SOS for ammunition during the Kargil war. In addition emergency supplies from Russia, planes from Israel also landed in India to replenish ammunition.
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