Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
India cannot achieve technologic progress and self-sufficiency without
external assistance and participation. For its part, the financial viability of the
defense industries is vital for Israel's ability to maintain its qualitative edge over
its Arab adversaries. Israel enjoys certain unique advantages over other arms
suppliers: its experience with weapons and systems of both the former blocs; the
no-questions-asked policy that governs its arms trade; and its reputation as a
reliable supplier and expertise in technological innovation and upgrading skills.
In short, India's search for technology and Israel's need for economizing
defense research are complementary. Numerous strategic programs currently
undertaken (or recently shelved) in both countries are complementary; these
include Lavi (India's unnamed LCA) aircraft, Merkava (Arjun) tanks, Jericho-I
missile (Prithvi), Jericho-II, (Agni) or RPVs. With the exception of the US,
major defense frames are no longer built alone and therefore there is no reason why
India and Israel cannot pool their resources and economize their defense
production. Space and satellite programs offer another attractive area for long-
term cooperation.
This potential aside, possible defense cooperation also benefits from
Washington's amber-light approach toward the issue. Except for a brief period
following India's nuclear tests in May 1998, the US has been indifferent toward
Indo-Israeli defense ties. This contrasts with the American attitude toward
Israeli-Chinese defense links. In the past, Israel was seen and portrayed as
China's backdoor to Western technology.
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Media reports over possible transfer
of American military technology to China by Israel did not induce any public
response from the Reagan administration.
Things began to change following the end of the Cold War when senior
American officials began to act on suspected Israeli impropriety in its defense
ties with China.
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In a serious and highly controversial move, in early 1992
Israel was accused of illegally transferring Patriot anti-missile technology to
China.
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The controversy, coming in the midst of the ongoing tension between the
Bush administration and the right-wing Israeli government under Yitzhak
Shamir, led to each side questioning not only the veracity of the respective
claims but also the motivations of the other.
Unlike the past, the mainstream American media was actively pursuing the
allegation and in an unprecedented move, the Bush administration sent an
investigation team to Israel to verify the allegation. Even though the inspection
did not formally confirm the allegation, the controversy had done substantial
damage to US-Israeli relations and led to the tightening of export regulations and
US military aid to Israel. In short, due to technological as well as strategic
concerns, the US is no longer willing to ignore Israeli-Chinese military ties.
This position contrasts with Washington's attitude
vis-à-vis
Indo-Israeli
defense ties. Even the American sensitivities and subsequent sanctions following
India's nuclear tests had not dampened the relations. While the US has been
