Rafael to Manufacture Iron Dome Interceptors in India to Strengthen Security Ties

Israeli defense company Rafael plans to establish production lines for Iron Dome interceptor missiles (Tamir) in India, according to the local news site NDTV. This move aims to enhance manufacturing and supply chains and protect production from potential Iranian attacks, leveraging Iran's reliance on India. The decision follows recent conflicts highlighting threats from Iran and Hezbollah targeting security infrastructure.

The production in India will also enable Rafael to market its defense systems to additional countries, aligning with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" initiative, which encourages transferring manufacturing capabilities and technology to India. This development reflects the deepening security relationship between Israel and India.

Amir Baram, CEO of Israel's Ministry of Defense, emphasized this growing alliance during a speech at the Herzliya Conference at Reichman University. He noted that the war in the region has clarified the cost of Iranian military buildup and fostered a broader coalition of interests from India through the UAE to Greece and Cyprus. Baram highlighted Israel's technological strengths combined with Gulf financial power as a foundation for a new security-economic front, expanding Israel's strategic partnerships beyond its alliance with the United States.

India is Israel's largest defense export market in Asia, accounting for 29% of Israeli defense exports between 2021 and 2025, with export deals totaling approximately $20.6 billion over the past five years. Israeli defense production in India includes air defense systems, various missiles, and drones. Besides Rafael, other Israeli companies like Elbit and Israel Aerospace Industries collaborate with Indian firms under the Make in India program.

India will be the first Asian country to produce Iron Dome interceptors. Rafael has also expanded production to the United States, opening a manufacturing plant in Camden, Arkansas, in 2024 in partnership with Raytheon Technologies and its subsidiary R2S. This facility produces Tamir interceptors for the Iron Dome and the Sky Hunter missile variant for the U.S. Marines and other clients. The plant was inaugurated in the presence of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, sister of U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

This strategic expansion underscores Israel's efforts to diversify its defense manufacturing and export footprint while strengthening ties with key global partners amid evolving regional security challenges.