Israeli Military Technology
Rafael is adapting Iron Dome to counter aerial attacks against ships at sea. C-Dome incorporates 10 interceptors into a compact vertical launch unit and will provide 360-degree coverage against incoming missile threats.
The IDF revealed that a specialized unit inside the Artillery Corps has been operating Hermes 450 UAVs in close cooperation with other ground forces to collect visual intelligence and disseminate it in real time since Operation Protective Edge.
Rafael, with Israeli Military Industries (IMI) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), will lead the development of a new generation of active defense systems for tanks and other armored vehicles based on the existing Trophy system.
The Israeli Army announced specialized training for commanders on how to uncover and destroy tunnels, but understandably declined to disclose further details.
Israeli paratroopers made their first training jump from a Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transport on February 4th, marking an important step in replacing the aging C-130E/H.
Israeli paratroopers making a jump from the C-130J. (Photo: IAF) |
Israeli Military Sales
Elbit Systems will provide an undisclosed Asian army with mini-multi spectral infrared countermeasure (MUSIC) systems for installations on UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The technology will help protect aircraft from heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles.
The Brazilian Air Force renewed talks with IAI to buy three converted Boeing 767-300ERs tankers. Brazil lost the ability to provide jet-based inflight refueling with the recent retirement of four Boeing KC-137s.
The Indian warship INS Kolkata will receive Israeli-made Barak-8 missiles, following the conclusion of several successful tests. Capable of targeting other ships at a distance of more than 40 miles, the newly deployed missiles can destroy “any anti-ship missile launched by the Pakistani or Chinese navies,” according to New Delhi TV.
IAI will supply over 100 RAM armored 4x4s to three governments in Africa. Senegal is likely to be one of the purchasers and can use the vehicles for peacekeeping missions with the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).
Gulf Watch
Senior U.S. officials have tentatively approved the sale of Predator surveillance drones to the UAE after nearly two years of deliberations. Congress could still block the sale of the General Atomic’s UAV within 30 days.
Turkey Watch
Ankara expects to raise up to $1.6 billion in extra procurement funds by levying a fee against men who wish to avoid conscription.
Turkish Aerospace Industries began test flights of the Block B variant of the Anka UAV. Ten of the medium-altitude, long-endurance surveillance drones are expected to cost Ankara $300 million over the next few years.
Iraq Watch
Baghdad continues to build up its Air Force capacity. The UAE may donate 10 Mirage 2000-9s in March and has reportedly offered to transfer some Brazilian-made Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano light strike aircraft. Seperately, Iraq received its second shipment of two Russian-manufactured MI-28NE Night Hunter ground attack helicopters in early February.
A Russian made MI-28NE attack helicopter. (Photo: russianhelicopters.aero) |
Following the killing of a Jordan pilot captured by ISIS, the U.S. military reportedly positioned V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft in northern Iraq. The move should shorten response times to find downed pilots in Syria. Meanwhile, 1,000 paratroopers with the 82nd airborne deployed to Iraq in late January to help fight the Islamists.
The Czech government approved a contract to repair 100 tanks and armored personnel carriers for the Iraqi army. Excalibur Army will be the primary contractor for repairing the BVP-1 APCs and T-72, which will cost over $8 million over the next several years.
Iraqi Kurdistan’s Regional Government (KRG) took delivery of six remotely controlled demining robots capable of clearing IEDs and explosives.
Egypt Watch
Cairo and Paris are finalizing talks over the sale of 24 Rafale fighter jets and a naval frigate. The deal could be worth more than $6.79 billion and up to 50% may be financed through a special credit facility arranged by Coface, a French insurer.
Levant Watch
Lebanon’s military received 72 U.S.-made M198 Howitzers and more than 25 million rounds of ammunition in early February to fight ISIS militants.
Odds and Ends
The U.S., Germany, United Kingdom, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, and Senegal will take part in African Lion 15, a training exercise to strengthen cooperation and operational readiness. The first half of the trainings will focus on intelligence gathering, while a real world simulation is scheduled for May.