India Sends Over 2,500 Weapons Shipments to Israel Amid Deepening Defense Ties
A recent Amnesty International report reveals that between October 7, 2023, and November 30, 2025, India transferred 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition, parts, and components to Israel. This exchange highlights a lesser-known reciprocal aspect of the Israel-India security relationship, which is often viewed primarily through the lens of Israeli arms exports to India.
The shipments from India to Israel include 564,000 explosive ammunition components, 390,000 small arms parts, and 298 military vehicle parts. These supplies support Israeli defense companies such as Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Rafael, which have adapted to India's "Make in India" policy aimed at increasing local production and self-reliance. Despite these Indian exports, India remains the largest customer of Israeli defense exports, accounting for about 29% of Israeli arms exports from 2021 to 2025, totaling approximately $20.6 billion.
Amnesty's report also sheds light on the complex industrial cooperation between the two countries. For example, Elbit Systems supplies munitions for the SkyStriker loitering munition, produced under license in Bangalore by Alpha Design, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, which also partners with Israeli company IWI in a joint venture that recently won a $3.3 billion rifle procurement contract. IAI established Aerospace Services India in 2024 to collaborate with India's DRDO, and Rafael plans to build production lines for Tamir interceptors in India to secure supply chains against Iranian threats.
The report criticizes India for structural failures in upholding international human rights standards, noting its refusal to join the Arms Trade Treaty and lack of explicit human rights due diligence requirements. India's defense imports are diversified, with Russia supplying 40%, France 29%, and Israel 15% from 2021 to 2025. Despite international embargoes on Israel, countries like the US and Germany continue arms transfers to Israel, sometimes routing shipments through countries such as Slovenia and France.
Israeli Defense Ministry CEO Amir Baram, who visited India in June 2023, emphasized the strategic alignment among regional partners including India, the UAE, Greece, and Cyprus in response to Iranian military threats. This evolving relationship underscores the mutual benefits and risks shared by Israel and India in their defense cooperation.
