SOURCE: AFI
Following the reported success of Israel’s Arrow defense systems in repelling a recent Iranian missile and drone attack, the technology is attracting renewed interest from potential buyers. However, this comes with echoes of a past roadblock for India.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the developer of Arrow systems, has seen a surge in interest from countries seeking to bolster their missile defense capabilities. IAI’s CEO attributes this to the system’s apparent effectiveness in thwarting a major attack.
India was previously among the nations interested in acquiring Arrow-2, a long-range ballistic missile interceptor. However, this pursuit was hampered by the presence of US-made components within the system. Exporting such technology requires US approval, which was not granted in India’s case.
Undeterred by the setback, India strategically shifted focus towards developing its indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program. This program aims to create interceptor missiles that rival the capabilities of similar systems around the world.
India’s BMD program has witnessed significant progress in recent times. Notably, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of a new ship-based interceptor missile in April 2023. This achievement signifies India’s growing prowess in developing its own missile defense solutions.
While India’s past pursuit of the Arrow system was unsuccessful, its decision to focus on indigenous development has yielded promising results. The country’s BMD program holds immense potential to ensure its security against potential missile threats.