In a rare public acknowledgment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that India utilized Israeli-manufactured weapons, including the Barak-8 missile systems and HARPY drones, during its recent military campaign—Operation Sindoor—launched in retaliation after the Pahalgam terror attack in May. Netanyahu praised the effectiveness of these systems, noting, “The things we provided before worked very well on the field.” This revelation not only highlights the deepening defense ties between India and Israel but also reveals how battlefield-tested Israeli technology played a key role in neutralizing Pakistani missile threats during the intense conflict between May 7 and May 11.
According to reports, India’s use of Barak-8, a long-range surface-to-air missile system jointly developed by Israel and India’s DRDO, was pivotal in countering multiple aerial threats. Alongside it, the HARPY drones, designed for suppressing enemy radar systems, were deployed to disable Pakistan’s surveillance and air-defense assets with high precision. These developments come at a time when Netanyahu is also overseeing escalated military operations in Gaza, yet reaffirming strategic military collaboration with New Delhi. During a meeting with India’s Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, Netanyahu reiterated the importance of bilateral cooperation rooted in shared values and mutual security interests, especially in defense and the economy.
The Israel-India defense relationship continues to flourish, with Israel currently ranking as India’s fourth-largest arms supplier, delivering $2.9 billion worth of military hardware over the last decade. This includes radars, drones, missiles, and advanced surveillance systems. Despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, trade in defense between the two nations remains steady and robust. Following his meeting with Indian diplomats, Netanyahu also interacted with senior Indian journalists, further underlining the growing trust and transparency between both countries. With global eyes on South Asia and the Middle East, this disclosure adds a new layer of geopolitical complexity to the regional dynamics between India, Pakistan, and Israel.
