Arms and munitions: The country that supplied Israel with 2,500 shipments during the war
A new Amnesty International report reveals that since October 7, thousands of arms shipments have been transferred to Israel from India. Behind this flow are defense industries that have transferred knowledge and production to the subcontinent in recent years, thereby turning one of their largest clients into part of the supply chain.
The defense relationship between Israel and India is usually viewed through the lens of Israeli exports. However, a new report by Amnesty International reveals a different picture: between October 7, 2023, and November 30, 2025, no less than 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition, and components were transferred from India to Israel.
These supplies are rooted in the activities of Israeli defense companies, led by Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Rafael, which adapted to the 'Make in India' policy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This policy, aimed at increasing local independence, requires at least 50% local production. Despite this, India remains one of the most prominent clients of the Israeli defense industry.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), about 29% of Israeli defense exports in 2021–2025 went to India. The total volume of Israeli defense exports during this period amounted to approximately $71 billion. India imported defense goods from Israel totaling about $20.6 billion, surpassing Germany ($14.9 billion) and the USA ($5.5 billion).
The central figure leading this relationship is the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (res.) Eyal Zamir. Last June, he conducted a working visit to India to meet with senior defense officials. Zamir later explained that the war highlighted the need to form broader alliances, spanning from India to the UAE, Greece, and Cyprus.
An analysis by Amnesty, based on official records from New Delhi, shows that 390,516 small arms parts, 564,970 explosive ammunition components, and 298 military vehicle parts were transferred to Israel. The organization used international item classifications (HS codes 93 and 8710) to identify these shipments.
In its report, Amnesty International criticizes India for a lack of rigorous mechanisms to ensure human rights compliance in arms exports. The organization also notes that despite embargo efforts by various countries, Israel continues to receive arms supplies from the USA, Germany, and other nations, including transit shipments through Slovenia and France.
The article was first published in Globes.
