Israel operates one of the world’s most advanced and export-intensive defence industries — Elbit Systems (Haifa), Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Haifa), IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries, Lod), and Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) collectively make Israel one of the top-10 global defence exporters by value. Israel’s aerospace industry produces unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellite systems, missile defence systems (Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow), and aeroengine components. Indian AS9100D certified forging manufacturers with titanium, Inconel, and high-strength alloy steel capability are positioned to supply the Israeli defence and aerospace supply chain.
Company
Programme
Key Forging
Standard
IAI (Lod)
Heron, Harop UAV, ELTA radar
Structural airframe fittings, Ti-6Al-4V
AS9100D, CAAI (Israeli CAA)
Elbit Systems (Haifa)
Hermes 900 UAV, ATMOS artillery
Structural components, barrel blanks
AS9100D, Israeli Defence Ministry
Rafael (Haifa)
Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Spike
Missile body rings, structural fittings
AS9100D, classified specs
Israel Aircraft Industries
Astra satellite, commercial MRO
Titanium structural, Inconel structural
AS9100D, CAAI
Tadiran (Petah Tikva)
Communication systems, batteries
Structural enclosure forgings
ISO 9001, Israeli standards
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) — one of the world’s leading UAV and satellite manufacturers produces the Heron medium-altitude long-endurance UAV (in service with India’s IAF, among other customers), the Harop loitering munition, and the EROS satellite series. IAI’s manufacturing at Lod Airport applies AS9100D and Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAAI) quality standards for civil aerospace and defence-specific Israeli Ministry of Defense quality requirements for classified programmes. Ti-6Al-4V structural wing and fuselage fittings for UAV programmes represent the primary forging opportunity.
India and Israel have a particularly close defence relationship — Israel is one of India’s largest defence suppliers (Barak missiles, Heron UAVs, SPIKE anti-tank missiles, LITENING targeting pods are all in IAF, Army, and Navy service). This established relationship creates a natural channel for Indian forging manufacturers to engage Israeli defence OEMs as component suppliers the Israel-India defence industrial relationship is bilateral, not one-directional. Indian AS9100D manufacturers can approach IAI and Elbit through the formal Israel-India defence cooperation channel and through the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI).
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems — developer of Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Spike anti-tank missile family uses Ti-6Al-4V ring rolled body section forgings for missile structural components. Rafael’s quality requirements parallel those of US and European missile OEMs (Raytheon, MBDA) AS9100D, classified drawing control per Israeli Defence Ministry regulations, and in some cases ITAR requirements for US-sourced components in the weapon system. The Israel-India defence cooperation agreement provides a framework for technology sharing and component supply that supports Israeli OEM procurement from India.
Israel’s commercial aerospace activity — MRO for El Al, Arkia, and international airlines at Ben Gurion Airport creates demand for aerospace structural forging replacements in standard aviation materials (7075-T6, Ti-6Al-4V, 4340). Israeli MRO providers (Bedek Aviation Group, part of IAI) procure structural repair forgings from AS9100D approved sources globally.
Ocean freight Chennai to Ashdod or Haifa: 12–16 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the India-Israel defence relationship and how does it support Indian forging supply to Israeli OEMs?+–
India is one of Israel’s largest defence export customers Israeli defence exports to India have exceeded $1 billion annually in recent years. The India-Israel defence relationship is formalised through the India-Israel Defence Cooperation Agreement and the Joint Working Group on Defence. This bilateral relationship creates reciprocal interest in Israeli OEM procurement from Indian manufacturers Israeli companies like IAI and Elbit who sell defence systems to the Indian armed forces are receptive to sourcing components from Indian manufacturers as part of offset and Make in India commitments. The India-Israel defence relationship provides an institutional channel for Vinir to approach Israeli defence OEMs that is not available for manufacturers from countries without this bilateral framework.
2.What is Iron Dome and what forging components does the system contain?+–
Iron Dome is Israel’s short-range rocket and artillery shell defence system developed by Rafael and produced in partnership with Raytheon Technologies for US procurement. Iron Dome intercepts rockets, artillery shells, and mortars with the Tamir interceptor missile. Each Tamir interceptor uses: a cylindrical body section ring forging in Ti-6Al-4V or aluminium alloy, a fin root structural fitting, and motor case interface structural components. Rafael produces Tamir interceptors at high production rates (several thousand per year given ongoing operational demand from Israeli and US inventory). The forging content per Tamir interceptor is modest in weight (5–25 kg total) but the production volume creates significant aggregate demand.
3. How does Israeli defence export control (Israeli Military Export Licence) affect forging drawings transmitted to India?+–
Israel applies export controls through the Israeli Defence Export Controls Agency (DECA) under the Ministry of Defence. Israeli military equipment and related technology exports require a Defence Export Marketing Authorisation before any technical data is shared with a foreign entity. For forging drawings related to classified Israeli defence programmes (Rafael, IAI, Elbit classified programmes), the Israeli OEM must obtain DECA authorisation before transmitting drawings to Indian forging manufacturers. For commercial aerospace and civil applications (IAI MRO, commercial satellite structural), the export control requirements are less restrictive standard Israeli export regulations apply. Indian forging manufacturers should confirm DECA clearance status with their Israeli customer before receiving any classified programme drawings.
4.What Israeli aerospace certifications apply to civil aerospace forging supply for Ben Gurion MRO operations?+–
Israel’s civil aviation authority (CAAI – Civil Aviation Authority of Israel) applies EASA-equivalent regulations for aircraft maintenance and component approval. Structural repair forgings used in Israeli MRO operations (Bedek Aviation Group for 737, 747 heavy maintenance) must be approved under CAAI Part 21 or EASA Part 21 approval either through the OEM’s own DER (Designated Engineering Representative) or through an approved repair design organisation. The forging manufacturer must be approved by the MRO’s quality system under CAAI Part 145 requirements. In practice, Israeli MRO providers accept structural forgings from AS9100D certified manufacturers with the applicable material certification the CAAI approval flows through the MRO’s own Part 145 quality system rather than requiring separate forging manufacturer CAAI approval.
5.What is Bedek Aviation Group and what commercial forging opportunities does it represent?+–
Bedek Aviation Group – the MRO division of IAI is one of the world’s largest independent aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul organisations. Bedek performs heavy maintenance (D-checks) on 737, 747, 767, 777, A320, and A340 aircraft for airlines from 30+ countries. Structural repair forgings for Bedek’s MRO operations include: 7075-T6 aluminium structural fittings for airframe repairs, Ti-6Al-4V structural brackets and attachment fittings, and 4340 alloy steel structural pins. Bedek procures these repair parts from approved AS9100D forging manufacturers the procurement is through Bedek’s supply chain rather than through the original aircraft OEM (Boeing or Airbus). This provides an accessible entry to Israeli aerospace forging supply without requiring OEM-level qualification.
