JERUSALEM, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Armament Development Authority (Rafael) has won a contract of 260 million U.S. dollars from India whose air force intends to buy 18 Spyder Low Level Quick Reaction Missiles, local daily Ha'aretz reported here Sunday.

　　The contract was inked on Sept. 1, a senior Indian Defense Ministry official was quoted as saying.

　　Israeli Defense Ministry sources confirmed that the deliveries of the Spyder missiles will begin in two and half years and be completed within four years.

　　According to Rafael, Spyder, which was developed in cooperation with the Israel Aerospace Industries, is a quick reaction, low level surface-to-air missile system designed to effectively counter attacks by aircraft, helicopters UAVs and precision guided munitions.

　　Rafael was short listed to supply the missiles early last year, but the contract was postponed mainly due to opposition from India's leftist parties, said the Defense Ministry sources.

　　Last month, Indian cabinet's security committee also approved a1.5 billion dollars deal with an Israel Aerospace Industries project to develop and upgrade the Barak surface-to-air missile.