London: Preceding Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to India from September 9 to 11, India has reportedly handed over a huge "defence shopping list" to Israel.

A high-level Israeli delegation is currently negotiating with New Delhi for enhancing Indo-Israel co- operation, and it has assured the Indian defence authorities that Tel Aviv is willing to consider developing a long-term defence and strategic partnership, 'The News' quoted diplomatic and defence sources in Belgium as saying.

International defence sources in the Belgian capital have revealed that some very sophisticated defence equipment is to be purchased from Israel for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

India has shown interest in some Israeli defence equipment, which has never been provided to any other country. Some of the equipment requested for, was provided to Israel by the US and a report saying, "Washington seems to have no trepidation in according the required permission for providing such sophisticated arms to India."

According to the report, the shopping list includes submarine-launched cruise missiles, micro-satellite systems for surveillance, which can be launched from aircraft or in clusters from a missile, laser guided systems, precision-guided munitions, anti-ballistic missile systems and a variety of radars.

India has already acquired a large chunk of arms and ammunition, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), night vision devices, artillery guns 130mm upgrading to 155mm – 180 artillery guns 130mm upgrading to 155mm – 250 from Israel. Battlefield surveillance radars (artillery, battlefield surveillance radars hand held (infantry), fast attack naval craft Super Davora, electronic, warfare system for INS Virat, 5.56 mm ammunition for rifles have also been bought, the report said.

Analysing the emerging Indo-Israeli ties, the report claims, "Indo-Israel defence co-operation pace saw an impetus during the Kargil war between India and Pakistan as Israel obliged India by delivering many defence items to it within twenty four hours."

Despite international pressure on Israel not to supply defence equipment to India during the Kargil war, Tel Aviv provided UAVs for high altitude surveillance, laser-guided systems and many other items to India at very short notice. The report describes Israel's upgrading and maintenance of Russian defence equipment marked for India is also the most significant element of improved Indo-Israel defence co- operation.

The report endorses the view expressed by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat that the visit of "Israeli Prime Minister to India, and India's plans to buy military equipment from Israel might increase the tension between India and Pakistan."

ANI