'We had a friend in need': how Israel quietly helped India turn the tide in a Himalayan war

During the 1999 Kargil War, Israel provided urgent, discreet assistance to India, integrating advanced Litening targeting pods onto Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Former Rafael program manager Ami and retired Israeli Air Force pilot Shlomo revealed details of this emergency operation to NDTV, explaining how an urgent call on a Friday night initiated a rapid deployment of engineers and equipment to India. Ami stated, "Everyone supported this effort. Nobody asked questions. We have a friend in need." This collaboration, which began in 1996, proved to be a "game changer" for India's air campaign, enabling precision strikes against Pakistani positions at high altitudes. Shlomo noted that with laser-guided bombs, accuracy improved from 20-30 meters to "two or three meters from the target." This wartime effort solidified a strategic partnership that has since expanded significantly, with Israel becoming a major defense supplier to India and the two nations moving towards joint research and development.