An Israeli air Force squadron is set to visit India next month in the first joint military exercise to take place between the two countries.

The IDF’s advanced F-16I “Sufa” fighter-bombers are scheduled to fly alongside Indian Sukhoi-30 jets.
Israel is the second-largest supplier of weapons systems to India (after Russia), and has sold the Indians guided missiles and drones.

The improved relationship between the two countries has already seen India abstaining on a number of anti-Israel resolutions at the UN, where once it routinely voted on the Arab side.

The countries’ leaders, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have a strong personal relationship and, according to diplomatic sources, agree on a wide range of foreign policy issues.

The IDF deployment will be a reciprocal visit after India sent fighters to train in Israel earlier this year. Israel will be watching closely to see whether India publicises the return mission.