It said the delegation would be led by V.K. Aatre, who heads the Defence Research and Development Organisation responsible for India's missile programme.

The week-long trip follows the landmark September 8-10 visit by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to New Delhi.

PTI said Aatre's team would seek Israeli help for India's development of two anti-air missiles, the Trishul (Trident) and Akash (Sky).

The agency said the Indian delegation would also talk about joint production of unmanned drones and flight control systems for Indian-built Light Combat Aircraft.

There was no immediate official confirmation Sunday of Aarte's trip. The defence ministry has denied reports in recent months that India had scrapped development of the Trishul and Akash.

India is also finalising the purchase from Israel of three Phalcon AWACS systems, which provide long-range radar warnings from aircraft.

India has long been close to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and did not establish diplomatic relations with the Jewish state until 1992.

But ties have warmed rapidly since Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's Hindu nationalists took office in 1998.

WAR.WIRE