Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne meets Lieutenant General Benny Gantz Jan. 20th, 2013. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

Israel welcomed the Chief of the Air Staff and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne on Sunday with the presentation of a combined guard of honor at the Camp Rabin (Kirya) Base in central Tel Aviv

During the course of his visit, Air Chief Marshal Browne will conduct meetings with the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Benjamin “Benny” Gantz, as well as with the Commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, which will focus on cooperation between the two militaries. Air Chief Marshal Browne will also meet with the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak.

The Indian Air Force chief, who is accompanied by a small but high-level Indian Air Force  delegation, will discuss the progress of ongoing military cooperation between the two countries.

India is the largest customer of Israeli military equipment and Israel is the second-largest military partner of India with military business worth around $9 billion.

Israel is a large supplier of missiles and electronic warfare systems to India. Following Israel’s Gaza operation in November India also expressed its interest in acquiring the Iron Dome defense system technology.

Air Chief Marshal Browne will also visit IAF bases and squadrons, where he will be briefed on the operational procedures of the IAF.