Indian Army chief General J J Singh has made an unpublicised visit to Israel to boost cooperation to fight terrorism, reflecting the burgeoning defence ties between the two countries.
Singh was given a demonstration of sophisticated weapons systems during his visit and also toured specialised training centres for anti-terror operations, sources said.
His visit was 'part of regular ongoing exchanges' between the two countries, defence officials said.
Singh left for Italy on Wednesday following a series of discussions with Israeli defence officials and the demonstration of weapons system.
India is interested in acquiring equipment for its Special Forces, including Tavor Rifles, and more unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel, which has emerged in recent years as its second biggest supplier of hi-tech military gear.
The Israeli defence ministry recently announced that India was its single largest importer of defence equipment worth $1.5 billion last year. This constituted about 50 per cent of Israel's defence exports and about 30 per cent of India's imports.
A series of high-level visits by Indian defence officials has allayed fears among Israeli defence industries of a setback to defence cooperation due to opposition from Left parties in India which prop up the ruling coalition.
Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi and the navy vice-chief, Vice-Admiral Venkat Bharathan, visited Israel last year following the cancellation of then defence minister Pranab Mukherjee's trip last July.
Singh's visit was the first trip to Israel by an Indian Army chief since 1998, when Gen V P Malik had travelled to that country.
Israel has supplied a range of defence equipment to India, including Barak anti-missile systems, assault rifles, night vision devices, radars, hi-tech electronic warfare systems and IT-related gear.
