India has chosen to buy Israeli Spike guided anti-tank missiles (known in Hebrew as Gil), rather than Javelin missiles, produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, despite pressure from the US.
A defense source in India said that his country's armed forces would buy at least 8,000 missiles and over 300 launchers in a deal worth $525 million. The Gil is a "fire-and-forget" missile carried by infantry, and it can be locked onto its target even before being launched. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., which makes the missile, declined to comment on the report.
The current deal follows a deal announced in September under which Rafael will supply to India Barak-1 naval missiles.
The new Indian government under prime Narendra Modi seeks to bolster the country's military capabilities because of growing friction on the border with China and exchanges of fire with Pakistan in Kashmir.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 26, 2014
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