India to Manufacture Components for Elbit's Aircraft Missile Defense Systems

India's state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems and its subsidiary Elbit Systems Electro-Optics (El-Op) to produce and supply components for DIRCM (Directional Infrared Counter Measure) systems. These systems are designed to protect aircraft from surface-to-air missiles. The agreement was signed on September 16 in Bangalore by Rajnesh Sharma, head of BEL's local division, and Shai Cohen, Senior Vice President at Elbit Systems. The financial terms and the specific clients for whom the systems will be produced were not disclosed.

Elbit Systems offers several versions of the DIRCM system, including J-MUSIC, MUSIC, Mini-MUSIC, and C-MUSIC. These systems are already in use on various platforms, such as Israeli civilian aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters of the Italian Air Force, and Brazil's KC-390. In December 2024, Elbit announced contracts totaling $175 million for the supply of DIRCM electronic warfare protection kits to a NATO country in Europe.

Under the new agreement, BEL will manufacture specific components that will be integrated into Elbit's complete systems, rather than supplying the entire DIRCM system. This deal builds upon an existing partnership between the two companies, where BEL has previously supplied Elbit with electro-optical and thermal sights, helmet-mounted displays, and other military electronics.