Home Frontline Defense Alliance Tracker: September 13, 2016

Alliance Tracker: September 13, 2016

SOURCE
The SkyStriker loitering munition seen on its towed launcher. (Photo: Elbit Systems)

Israel

Brigadier General (Res.) Yaakov Nagel, acting head of the Israeli National Security Council, reportedly landed in Washington, DC on September 13 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Obama administration. As part of the 10-year, $38 billion military assistance package, Israel will not ask for additional funding from the U.S. Congress. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has voiced opposition to this, and other conditions of the deal.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made a three-day visit to Israel in early September, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bishop reaffirmed her country’s “absolute enduring commitment to the State of Israel” at a press conference and invited Netanyahu to visit Australia.

Israeli Military Technology

Elbit announced a new long-range loitering drone capable of precision tactical strikes. An unnamed military customer has already agreed to buy the SkyStriker system, which can stay airborne for two hours before detonating a 22 pound warhead.

Foreign Military Sales

Israel’s Ministry of Defense proposed new rules easing restrictions on defense exports in an effort to sell more military hardware abroad. The Defense Exports Control Agency (DECA) expanded “exemptions for marketing permits for unclassified products to the U.S.” and approved more marketing of counter-terrorism products and equipment sold by brokers.

U.S. defense contractor Raytheon is close to finalizing a $5 billion agreement to sell air defense systems to Poland. As part of the package, Rafael will supply David’s Sling interceptors that can be launched from the U.S.-supplied Patriot missile batteries.

Elbit announced it won a contract to deliver Spectro XR, “an ultra-long-range, day/night electro-optical system” over the next four years to an unnamed customer in Asia for $90 million.

Regional Developments

The U.S. Marine Corps will station F-35B fighter jets in the Middle East in 2017, according to a report in The Hill.

The Department of Defense awarded Lockheed Martin a $39.5 million contract to establish and sustain two F-16 air combat training centers in Jordan.

Lockheed Martin will supply Jordan, Oman, and other U.S. allies with Javelin JV man-portable anti-tank guided missiles as part of a $48 million foreign military sale approved by the Pentagon.