Controversy Surrounds Made in India Drones Allegedly Used in Israel-Hamas Conflict

Defense News ,India :- Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd (AEASI), an Indian conglomerate, has become embroiled in controversy amid allegations of its involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Reports suggest that drones produced by AEASI, specifically the Hermes 900, equipped with missile capabilities, may have been deployed in the recent clashes in Palestinian territories.

Crucially, neither the Israeli nor Indian governments have officially confirmed the deployment of AEASI-manufactured drones in the conflict zone. The information is based on media reports relying on unnamed sources, introducing an element of uncertainty to the claims.

The origin of the controversy dates back to 2018 when Israel's Elbit Systems, renowned for its UAV technology, established a joint venture with the Adani Group to manufacture drones in India. This collaboration marked a significant milestone, representing the first instance of such advanced technology being produced outside of Israel.

The official confirmation of the Hermes 900's deployment in Gaza remains elusive, contributing to the ambiguous nature of the issue. Some Middle Eastern media outlets have taken up the report, urging their governments to intervene and prevent the alleged export of these drones from India. Indian defense officials, however, clarified that since the drones are Israeli-manufactured, the Indian government cannot ban such exports, especially when the intellectual property rights (IPR) do not belong to the Indian company involved.