Rafael, Bharat Dynamics Ltd to jointly induct anti-torpedo defence system for Indian Navy

Israeli defence technology company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) are teaming up for joint induction of an anti-torpedo defence system called ‘SHADE’ for the Indian Navy. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for this will be signed by Rafael’s Corporate Regional Director for India, Eli Hefets and Director (Technical), BDL, N P Diwakar, in the presence Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during the “Bandhan” ceremony slated on Friday during the Aero India 2021 in Bengaluru.

“SHADE will be the first system in the world to employ a combination of soft kill and hard kill decoys, thereby providing a robust and effective defence against modern torpedoes”, a Rafael statement said. The joint induction of SHADE is part of Rafael’s commitment to the “Aatma-nirbhar Bharat” (self-reliance) initiative of the union government, it was stated.

This MoU will be a precursor for cooperation on futuristic systems for the Indian armed forces, entailing advanced transfer of technology, and a “very high” indigenous content, leading to self-sufficiency in the field of cutting- edge technology in defence, the statement said. The pact represents an ideal opportunity for industrial cooperation between Israel and India, leading to closer collaboration and co-development of advanced systems in India, it said.

“Parties will work together to identify joint opportunities for export, subject to export control guidelines of the two governments”, the statement added.