Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited formed a joint venture with which Indian company to produce anti-tank guided missiles for the Indian armed forces?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Kalyani Group

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is about defence industry collaboration between India and Israel. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited is an Israeli company known for high technology weapons, including anti tank guided missiles. India has increasingly entered into joint ventures with foreign defence firms to produce advanced weapon systems domestically under the "Make in India" initiative. Knowing which Indian industrial group partnered with Rafael is important for defence and current affairs sections of exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited is an Israeli defence company.
  • It created a joint venture in India focused on manufacturing anti tank guided missiles.
  • The question asks which Indian company is Rafael's partner in this JV.
  • Options include Goa Shipyard, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Kalyani Group and a repeated HAL option.


Concept / Approach:
The key is to connect Rafael with the correct Indian private partner. Goa Shipyard and HAL are government owned enterprises primarily associated with shipbuilding and aircraft production respectively. The Kalyani Group, through Bharat Forge and related defence ventures, has actively partnered with foreign firms to produce advanced land systems and missiles. Remembering news about Rafael and Kalyani Group forming a joint venture for missile production provides the answer.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Goa Shipyard Limited mainly deals with defence shipbuilding and not missile technology partnerships with Rafael. Step 2: Remember that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited focuses on aircraft, helicopters and aerospace components; while it may work with foreign firms, Rafael's anti tank guided missile JV is not primarily with HAL. Step 3: The Kalyani Group, especially through Bharat Forge and other defence subsidiaries, has entered into several collaborations for artillery, armoured systems and missiles. Step 4: News reports highlighted that Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Kalyani Group formed a joint venture to manufacture anti tank guided missiles and other advanced systems in India. Step 5: Therefore, Kalyani Group is the correct choice among the options.


Verification / Alternative check:
A verification method is to recall the nature of each company: Goa Shipyard (ships), HAL (aircraft), Kalyani Group (forged components, artillery, land systems). Since anti tank guided missiles fall more naturally under land warfare equipment and are associated with Kalyani-Rafael cooperation, this reinforces that Kalyani Group is the right partner.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Goa Shipyard: Primarily a shipbuilding company and not known for joint ventures with Rafael on anti tank guided missile production.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: Focuses on aircraft and helicopters; the specific joint venture for anti tank guided missiles referenced here is with Kalyani Group, not HAL.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (duplicate): This is effectively the same as option B and does not match the actual JV partner for this missile project.


Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may be tempted to pick HAL simply because it is a famous defence public sector undertaking, even when the question clearly involves a land systems and missile oriented JV. Another pitfall is not paying attention to private sector defence companies like Kalyani Group, which increasingly appear in current affairs questions due to new joint ventures and technology tie ups.


Final Answer:
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited formed the anti tank guided missile joint venture in India with the Kalyani Group.

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