Congress Asks 3 Questions on Adani Group's Defence Sector Ventures with Israel
Moneylife Digital Team 16 February 2023
In the 10th instalment of questions under the series, 'Hum Adani Ke Hai Kaun' (HAHK), the Congress party has asked three questions to prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi related to the Adani group's investments in Israel in the defence sector.
 
Jairam Ramesh, member of Parliament (MP) and general secretary for communication of Congress, says, "These relate to your (the PM's) use of national security policy, specifically our long-standing defence relationship with Israel, to enrich your corporate cronies."
 
1. Your close friend Gautam Adani is known to have accompanied you on a number of your foreign trips. Since your 4th July to 6 July 2017 visit to Israel, you have given him a powerfully lucrative role in the India-Israel defence relationship. With your blessings, he has set up ventures with Israeli firms covering areas as varied as drones, electronics, small arms and aircraft maintenance. Given that the Adani group has faced credible allegations regarding offshore shell companies for some years, is it in the national interest to hand over such a critical defence relationship to one questionable conglomerate? Is there a quid pro quo for you and the ruling party?
 
2. India has long had a number of start-ups and established firms that develop, manufacture and operate drones for civil and military applications. This includes public sector firms like Hindustan Aeronautics and Bharat Dynamics. Yet Elbit was made to set up a joint venture to manufacture drones with the Adani group that had no prior experience in this strategically important sector. In December 2018, the venture set up a factory to build Hermes 900 drones and also took over the Bengaluru-based start-up Alpha Design. On 1 September 2021 this acquisition began paying off after Alpha received an order for 100 attack drones from the Indian Army. Why is the government taking advantage of our armed forces' emergency requirements and facilitating an Adani drone monopoly at the expense of start-ups as well as established Indian firms?
 
3. As with drones, India has long had a number of start-ups and ordnance factories that develop and manufacture small arms for the civilian and military markets. Yet, in September 2020, Adani bought a majority stake in the Gwalior-based PLR systems that manufactures a wide range of small arms in collaboration with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). IWI weapons like the Tavor assault rifle, Galil sniper rifle and Negev light machine gun are already in service with the Indian Army, and this acquisition by Adani simply hands over a long-standing defence relationship to your friend. Are the interests of our soldiers secondary to your financial needs?
 
Read about the previous questions here… 
 
 
 
 
Comments
ahujamanojs
2 years ago
I feel Congress is asking these details, so as to share it with their Chinese, who is in distress. Congress wants Bharat to be dependent on China, UAE, & other Islamic countries, but not on our home grown Indians. Congress has forgotten their friends in Union Carbide, Bofors. Soros. Right questions to prove Errors of Commission should be asked, not the details on companies manufacturing defence equipments, Artillery details, amunitions, Aircraft Technology. This shows their mindset.
sudarshan16203
2 years ago
By all means ask questions, and GOI can respond. However also note all global govt do support large orgn to deliver and propel country forward. US support Boeing and other orgn bid to win global projects, so does UK, UAE in supporting their local orgn.
Also HAL was becoming like lethargic and bureaucratic and one need strong hands to deliver, startups are very small and can’t scale enough quickly, yes do agree GOI should support them by ensuring some projects as per their scale and capacity to deliver. Even recently Tata Airplanes deal was facilitated which is fine. Govt needs support of large local corporates who can deliver on govt agenda locally to advance the nation forward quickly.
sudarshan16203
Replied to sudarshan16203 comment 2 years ago
Also note in recent Aeroshow deals were faciliatated for Bharat Dynamics with UAE Govt and also Brahmos deals are being made to sell to saudi and uae
At #AeroIndiashow, #HAL and Bharat dynamics signed MoUs with UAE’s @_edgegroup
to explore integration and joint production of its long-range precision-guided munitions.
saharaaj
2 years ago
BOFOR opportunity lost is the grouse
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