After signing the MoU, R. Madhavan, CMD HAL, said: "The collaboration will provide excellent opportunity to HAL to expand its product offerings to defence customers, absorb critical technologies and strengthen the aerospace ecosystem in the country, especially for UAVs".
President and CEO of IAI Nimrod Sheffer said India is an important strategic market for drones and he is confident of his company's extensive experience and the technological capabilities of HAL and DTL will lead to significant advancements in the field.
In Indiadrones are playing significant role in wars and other tactical missions such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
In the coming years, Indian defence forces are likely to induct a large number of drones to meet such requirements.
HAL has the best capability and infrastructure available in India to manufacture world class and battle-proven drones. HAL as a long-time partner of IAI is involved in the depot level maintenance of all ranges of drones supplied by IAI to the Indian forces since 2004.
Taking the HAL-IAI collaboration a step ahead, under the scope of this MoU, the partnership would be the first in the country to manufacture IAI designed UAVs in India such as short range tactical class having long endurance.
This collaboration will enhance technology sharing and business partnership between India and Israel.
( With inputs from IANS )