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India Receives First Batch of 'Made in India' Negev 7.62 LMGs from Israel
India's Defense Modernization Boosted by New LMG Delivery
India has received the first batch of 2,000 Negev 7.62mm light machine guns (LMGs) from Israel Weapons Industries (IWI), marking a significant step in its defense modernization efforts. This delivery is part of a larger 41,000-unit contract under India's 'Make in India' initiative. Shuki Schwartz, CEO of IWI, highlighted that the Negev LMG has been battle-proven in Israel and other theaters. He emphasized its ergonomic design, light weight (around 7 kg), and dual-mode functionality, offering semi-automatic fire for close-quarter battles and fully automatic for maximum suppressive fire.
Tech Transfer and 'Make in India' Advancement
IWI has successfully completed technology transfer with India through its joint venture with the Adani Group, PLR Systems, aligning with India's 'Make in India' mission. Schwartz noted that since PLR Systems' establishment in 2016, the company has progressed from producing small parts for IWI's international market to assembling various weapons domestically. A factory in Gwalior Malanpur has been built, and hundreds of Indian employees have been trained, significantly boosting India's industrial capabilities in weapon manufacturing. This partnership is crucial for enhancing local defense production and serving as a key export hub for IWI products in the future.
Deepening India-Israel Strategic Partnership
The strategic partnership between India and Israel continues to deepen, with the IWI-Adani collaboration playing a pivotal role. IWI has already been supplying assault rifles like the Tavor and other products to India. The company is preparing to bid for pistols for the Indian Army and is participating in trials for its .338 sniper rifles. Schwartz stated that IWI's extensive experience from ongoing conflicts, including those in Gaza, Lebanon, and with Iran, provides invaluable insights into battlefield needs. He confirmed that IWI and its subsidiaries are investing heavily in research and development and will continue to offer their full range of products to the Indian forces, further strengthening the bilateral defense ties.
*Source: YouTube: NDTV (2026-03-29)*
