Sources inform “Globes” that Israel Military Industries (IMI) is in advanced negotiations for a strategic cooperation agreement with Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the Indian counterpart of IMI. Talks between the two were conducted during Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s recent visit to India.
IMI chairman Brig.-Gen. (Ret.) Arie Mizrachi accompanied Sharon on the visit.
OFB has been in business since 1801, and its products correspond to those manufactured by IMI, including ammunition and explosives, weapons, rockets, cluster bombs, missile propulsion systems, and heavy armaments.
OFB has facilities in the 39 locations around India. In addition to weapons and war materiel, its product basket also includes armored vehicles, night vision equipment, and infantry accessories.
IMI believes that it will require the help of a leading Indian armaments company in order to penetrate the Indian military market. Such a partnership will also improve its chances of winning Indian military procurement tenders.
India is marked as one of IMI’s main marketing targets, in addition to the US, Turkey, and Europe. IMI recently opened an office in New Delhi, as it has already done in Ankara and London.
IMI is interested in taking part in the upgrading of Indian Army tanks, especially the main Indian tank the Russian-manufactured T-72. IMI is also offering India 155mm artillery ammunition, artillery rockets, air-to-ground missiles, and sophisticated ammunition.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 11, 2003