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Israel's Secret Role in India's 1999 Kargil War Victory
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.
Israel secretly helped India equip Mirage 2000 jets with Litening targeting pods during the Kargil War.
Israeli engineers worked around the clock to ensure the system was operational under combat conditions.
The collaboration involved integrating Israeli, French, and American military technology.
Indian Air Force officers played a crucial role in the successful implementation of the targeting system.
The partnership led to a significant turning point in the conflict, contributing to India's victory.
- Who
- Indian and Israeli military personnel
- What
- Covert defence partnership during the Kargil War
- Where
- Kargil, India
- When
- 1999
- Why
- To equip Indian jets with advanced targeting technology for precision strikes
Indian Air Force
Pakistani Forces
Military Strategy
Indian Air Force
Utilized advanced targeting technology and precision strikes to reclaim territory.
Pakistani Forces
Intruded into Indian territory, leading to a significant military conflict.
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





