India to buy Israeli anti-tank missiles

Missile purchase proposal is at an advanced stage and is awaiting approval by Indian government

India, in a bid to shore-up its anti-tank capabilities, is expected to place an order for Israeli manufactured 'Spike' missiles to enhance its anti-armour capabilities against Pakistan, reported the Times of India.

The Indian military plans to buy the missile as a fill-in measure till it domestically develops a missile of similar capabilities, which is expected to take three years.



The source, speaking to the Indian publication, said the purchase proposal is in its latter stages and is awaiting the approval of the Indian government.

The order for the missiles is to be placed with an Israeli firm, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd and is expected to go through this year to meet the Indian military’s 'urgent' requirement.

The decision comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to India earlier this year, where he announced the missile deal’s revival.



India had earlier backtracked from the deal after its Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) promised to deliver an anti-tank missile for trial by the end of this year.

 

This article originally appeared in Times of India