India to drop Spike antitank missile purchase plan, again.

According to the Times of Israel, India may be ready to cancel its planned purchase of Israeli-made anti-tank missiles, once again. New Delhi had planned to place a $500 million deal for the Spike made by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. If true, this is the second time India will have abandoned this deal.

Firing of a Spike missile by a Belgian army team (Picture source: Rafael/Belgian MoD)

The Israeli government reportedly has been informed of this contract termination. Instead, India will acquire a missile from the state-run Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO). India plans to put this new missile into production within two years.

Israel and India trade some $5 billion annually, with the majority of the deals in arms and diamonds, the Times of Israel reports. Last year, Israel and India signed a $2 billion military arms deal, which includes the supply over several years of medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers, and communications technology.