Israeli Military Allies
Rafael and India’s Astra Microwave Products filed documents to list a new joint venture on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The firm will make tactical radio communication equipment, signals intelligence, and other electronic warfare devices.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a contract to provide Japan’s Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) with a training and certification platform for its TAME Range cyber security program. The new agreement will help IAI distribute the TAME curriculum, which covers cyber warfare, threat management, and digital forensics.
IAF F-15s and support personnel returned to Israel after training with Jordanian, American, and Singaporean air forces during operation “Red Flag”. Exercises included aerial refueling, aerial interceptions, ground strikes, and downed pilot rescues.
Israel Military Technology
The IDF’s Southern Command has successfully tested a series of new radar arrays specifically designed to detect incoming mortar rounds from Gaza, which travel shorter distances at lower altitudes than rockets. The system, which officials hope will be operational in October, gives border communities up to 15 seconds of warning.
IAF fighter jets participating in ‘Red Flag’. (Photo: IDF) |
The Israeli Navy showcased some of the measures it employs to protect the Jewish State’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which includes drilling rigs in the Yam Tethys and Tamar natural gas fields. Unmanned vessels, such as the Rafael-produced Protector sea vehicle, help more traditional vessels such as the Lahav Saar-5 class missile corvette patrol the area. The deployment of the Barak-1 missile defense system can protect Israeli assets from Hezbollah-launched surface-to-sea and ballistic missiles. Additionally, a recent IDF drill with the Navy’s elite Flotilla 13 simulated retaking civilian hostages on a gas rig without the use of firearms, which could set the facility on fire.
Israel Military Industries (IMI) announced that it is seeking to sell the MPR-500 bomb to foreign customers. The bomb features a 500-lb warhead that is specially designed to reduce collateral damage, especially when paired with the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit.
The Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin a $89 million contract modification to provide Israel with development, demonstration, integration, and sustainment planning in preparation for the country’s F-35 delivery.
A Russian newspaper reported that Moscow has purchased 10 IAI-designed Searcher-class intelligence gathering drones for assembly in Russia.
Saudi Watch
Saudi Arabia could finalize a deal with the U.S. government by the end of the year to buy two frigates from Lockheed Martin worth more than $1 billion. The acquisition could be a cornerstone of the multi-billion dollar modernization for the Royal Saudi Navy.
Ahead of King Salman’s visit to the White House, the State Department notified Congress about the pending military sale of thousands of precision-guided munitions, including Boeing-manufactured JDAMs, to the Kingdom.
Egypt Watch
A report from a company supplying electro-optic (EO) sensor turret systems to Russian helicopters disclosed that Egypt may take delivery of about 50 Kamov Ka-52 ‘Hokum-B’ attack helicopters over the next five years. Russia is the largest operator of the Ka-52 two-crew helicopter, which is designed for surveillance and to attack slow moving aircraft and ground targets.
Gulf Watch
Raytheon was awarded an $175 million contract to complete a second phase of construction on a Qatari Air and Missile Defense Operations Center (ADOC).
Odds and Ends
Morocco will receive 50 M1A1 Abrams tanks as part of a $17.2 million Department of Defense contract given to General Dynamics.
The Pentagon awarded Northrop Grumman a $10.4 million contract to provide Iraq, Egypt, Oman and Morocco with V9 radar modules for their F-16 fleets.
