India provides 20 lethal Hermes 900s to Israel to conduct genocide in the Gaza Strip. Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd, a joint venture between Indian and Israeli companies, makes the drones. However, these drones are fully capable of surveillance and airstrikes.
The Israeli army will use the Hermes 900s drones made in India. These drones are being sent to Gaza, a place where there is a brutal genocide is happening. However, Human rights activists and experts say this deal shows that India is becoming more involved in Israel’s actions against the Palestinians.
The drones can stay in the air for a long time and are used for different military purposes, like spying and attacking. Israel and the United States have been using drones in Gaza for a while. The Hermes 900 drones were first used in Gaza in 2014. They are known for being very effective in combat. India and Israel have a growing relationship in making weapons together. In addition, this makes India more connected to what happens in Gaza.
Indian tycoon Gautam Adani is involved in several ventures with Israeli companies. However, in early 2023, Adani Ports purchased a majority stake in Haifa Port in Israel.
Key Points
Here are five things to know about the UAV and the deal.
- It is equipped with high-performance sensors which makes it easy to detect ground or maritime targets across a wide spectral range.
- According to Elbit Systems’ website, the UAV comes with a payload capacity of 350 kg.
- In 2018, Israel’s Elbit Systems entered into a joint venture with Adani Defence and Aerospace.
- However, manufactured at the Adani facility in Hyderabad, UAVs were delivered with carbon composite aerostructures
- In 2023, India added the Hermes 900 UAVs to its defense inventory as well.
Moreover, India’s decision to procure and manufacture the Israeli drone, Hermes 900, was driven by its strategic aim to enhance surveillance along northern borders. Moreover, this move makes India one of the key players in the global drone manufacturing area.
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Meanwhile, Linganna, the defense analyst, said that it appeared that India was battling to balance its business interests and its own ideals with the realities of global power dynamics.
“India prides itself on a foreign policy emphasizing peace and humanitarian principles. Supplying weapons that could be used in a conflict where civilian casualties are a concern creates a tension with those values,” Linganna added.