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Israel's Secret Role in India's 1999 Kargil War Victory

Israel's Secret Role in India's 1999 Kargil War Victory
NDTV Exclusive: How Israel Quietly Armed India's Jets To Win Kargil War Against Pakistan In 1999 · NDTV

During the Kargil War in 1999, India and Israel worked together in secret to help India's air force fight against Pakistan.

Israeli experts quickly traveled to India to help install special targeting equipment on Indian jets.

This equipment helped Indian pilots hit their targets more accurately.

The team worked very hard, often without rest, to make sure everything worked perfectly.

Their efforts were very important in helping India win the war and take back the territory that had been taken by Pakistan.

The collaboration between the two countries was so strong that it felt like a friendship rather than just a business deal.

Even today, the relationship continues, with Israeli defense firms still working closely with India.

Key facts

War
Kargil War
Year
1999
Key Technology
Litening targeting pod
Israeli Contributors
Ami, Shlomo
Indian Contributors
Group Captain N.A.K. Browne, Squadron Leader Gershon Arora, Rajeev Kumar Dash, Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari
Outcome
Indian victory and territorial reclamation

Quotes

Shlomo

Former Israeli Air Force fighter pilot and former Mirage squadron commander

“The Israeli‑made targeting pod, mounted on a French‑built aircraft, needed to work seamlessly with American‑made laser‑guided bombs so they could "speak one language."”
NDTV

Commanding officer at the Indian airbase

Indian airbase commanding officer during the emergency mission

“The situation demanded "much, much more than expected."”
NDTV

Sources

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