Major General (Retd) Amir Baram, who currently serves as the Director General of Israel’s Defense Ministry, called the Indian Defense Secretary, and apprised him about the ongoing situation in the Israel-Iran war.
Israel-Iran war: Israel’s much-hyped air defense systems, including its famous Iron Dome, are rapidly depleting due to the relentless barrage of drones and ballistic missiles launched by Iran in retaliatory strikes since June 13, and now the Jewish nation is turning towards its allies to replenish its dwindling military resources, especially interceptor missile batteries.
Israeli DG dials Indian Defense Secretary
According to Indian Defense Ministry, a top officer of the Israeli Defense Ministry had a phone conversation with India’s Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and while the details of this conversation remain classified, its being speculated that Israel is likely seeking to procure armaments from India to replenish its arsenal as the Israel-Iran war rages on.
As per details, Major General (Retd) Amir Baram, who currently serves as the Director General of Israel’s Defense Ministry, called the Indian Defense Secretary, and apprised him about the ongoing situation in the Israel-Iran war.
The phone conversation between India and Israel comes at a time when Israel’s air defenses have significantly depleted due to relentless missile attacks from Iran, and the country is also facing a critical shortage of ammunition as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are fighting on multiple fronts, including their long campaign in Gaza.
India’s Defense Secretary is responsible for the import and export of the country’s weapons and ammunition.
Israel running out of interceptors
Meanwhile, defense experts believe Israel is running out of interceptors to intercept short-range missiles, and at the current rate, its ability to intercept and neutralize short-range ballistic missiles (SRMs) could last for around 10-12 days at best. Additionally, it only has a few Arrow 3 missiles left in its arsenal, which are used to intercept long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
It is being speculated that Israel wants to procure ammunition or air defense system from India, especially India’s homegrown IACCS and Akashteer systems, which shot down every drone and missile fired by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
Israel-India relations
India and Israel share long-standing defense ties, with the Jewish state aiding New Delhi with military equipment when called upon. During last month’s India-Pakistan conflict, Indian armed forces used Israeli-made Harop and Harpy drones to target terrorists infrastructure and radar systems deep inside Pakistan, and India Air Force (IAF) deployed Israel’s Rampage missiles in its air-to-ground onslaught against the enemy nation.
Israel-Iran war
The Israel-Iran war erupted on June 13 when Israel unleashed a wave of pre-dawn air strikes on Iranian cities, including capital Tehran, under Operation Rising Lion, in which several top Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami, commander Ghulam-Ali Rashid, nuclear scientist Dr. Mohammad Tehranchi, nuclear scientist Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi and Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri.
Hours later, Iran, under Operation True Promise III, responded with a barrage of missiles and drones that struck several Israeli cities and major population centers, including Tel Aviv. Both sides have launched devastating strikes on each other, causing significant damage to infrastructure and loss of civilian lives, even as world powers and global agencies, including the United Nations, have urged the two bitter enemies to exercise utmost restraint.
According to various media reports, more than 240 people, including about top Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, while Iranian missile attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than 28 Israelis.
