Question : INDO -ISRAEL CO- OPERATION IN DEFENCE SECTOR

(a) whether the Government of Israel has offered to share technologies and experiences and co-operation in joint defence research and development and manufacturing with India;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has held any discussion with the Government of Israel in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the consensus reached between the two countries in developing indigenous defence production; and

(e) the details of the proposed projects and the expected financial investment likely to be made for the purpose?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) & (b): Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has several defence R&D programmes with the Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) (MAFAT), Israel Ministry of Defence. Under the joint programme, Israel shares technology information, know-how, know-why, joint R&D, collaborative research projects.

(c) to (e): For Defence R&D technology cooperation, DRDO and DDR&D, Israel Ministry of Defence meets annually under the aegis of Indo-Israel Management Council (IIMC) to pursue and discuss defence R&D activities. Defence procurements from various countries are carried out by following transparent procedures laid down in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM).