Israel
Israel began talks with Cyprus about the potential of establishing a shipping point on the country’s coast for sending goods to the Gaza Strip. According to Cypriot government spokesman, Prodromos Prodromal, “There will be contacts between the government and all interested parties in the region and, possibly, a decision will be taken. At the moment, no decision has been taken.”
Four women serving in the Israel Defense Forces graduated from training to become tank commanders on June 29, marking the first time that women have obtained the position. Women in Israel have increasingly chosen to serve in combat units, with a fivefold increase in recent years.
Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Gadi Eizenkot, arrived in Washington on June 28 for an urgent meeting with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford. The meeting revolved around the Syrian crisis and the joint effort to expel Iranian forces from the country. The Iranian presence will remain one of the main issues for discussion in the planned summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin scheduled for July 16.
The INS Eilat Sa’ar 5 multi-mission corvette missile boat and the INS Kidon Sa’ar 4.5-class missile boat completed a naval exercise on June 21. The two ships, along with troops from the French Navy and the frigate La Gayette, conducted drills using low-flying fighter jets that launched missiles towards the boats. According to Col. Ronen Hajaj, the head of Israel’s Navy Training and Doctrine Department, the military practice helped the two allies build a shared language to strengthen communication between the two nations while at sea.
The Israeli military denied that a military delegation from the United Arab Emirates was recently hosted to review the F-35 stealth fighter jets. Israel remains the only country in the Middle East to possess the stealth aircraft, with plans to receive an additional 50 planes from Lockheed Martin. The United Arab Emirates, which ranks among the world’s largest defense spenders, has made no secret that it intends to purchase the fifth-generation of F-35 jets.
Israeli Military Technology
Rescuers working to save a Thai youth soccer team trapped inside a flooded cave used Israeli technology to communicate with the team and their coach. Maxtech Network system linked a “daisy-chain of radio devices through the twisting water-submerged cavern” allowing the youths video connection and communication with the outside world. The communication system allowed Thai SEALs to reach the team, including medics who stayed with those trapped inside the cave. The team and coach were extracted from the cave on July 10.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled a new naval and land-based air and missile defense solution centered on the Barak high-speed interceptors. The Barak-MX is a modular and scalable networked defense system that links launchers, Barak detectors, and various sensors into a single command and control architecture that can be customized to meet specific mission requirements.
Foreign Military Sales
Rafael announced on June 24 that it signed a $193 million deal to supply the United States military defense contractor Leonardo DRS with Trophy active tanks and armored vehicle defense systems. The system uses sensors capable of detecting and analyzing threats and their precise location. The United States’ military plans to install the new system on its M1 Abrams battle tanks.
Israel’s Elbit Systems delivered to the Royal Thai Army (RTA) four Hermes 450 long-endurance tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The RTA is expected to utilize the new drones to track insurgency movements and to prevent drug smuggling. The UAVs and the attached audio and visual systems are estimated to be worth $30 million.
India is set to finalize a deal with Israel to purchase 4,500 Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Rafael. The contract, awaiting final approval from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, values the price of the rockets at $500 million. Initially, India desired to purchase 8,000 Spike missiles, but Israel did not agree to place that many weapons in India.
According to reports from Tel Aviv, it remains unclear if the United States will complete its prior agreement and sell Turkey F-35 fighter jets. The United States and its NATO allies have expressed concern in recent months over Turkey’s 2016 agreement to purchase the S-400 system from Russia fearing that if Turkey operates the advanced U.S. jets alongside the Russian system, Russia may gain access to sensitive technologies. Turkey is not expected to take delivery of the planes until 2020; it remains questionable if the United States will complete the deal.
A joint venture between Aeronautics Ltd and Rafael will sell UAV payloads and related services to an unnamed Asian country. The venture, called Controp, will acquire the $31 million proceeds. Controp develops and manufactures cameras and special lenses for UAVs. The contract between the Asian nation and the Israeli defense contractors is for 20 months, with Controp acquiring the proceeds.
The Finnish Ministry of Defense authorized the Finnish Defense Force’s Logistics Command to acquire IAI’s Gabriel anti-ship missile to equip the Finnish Navy’s Squadron 2000 Hamina-class ships. The Gabriel surface-surface missile will replace the current MT085M anti-ship missile. The estimated cost of the new system remains $189.62 million. The novel defense mechanism will include rockets, launchers, simulators, test equipment, and training. The installation is expected to occur between 2019 and 2025.
Regional Developments
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next week in Moscow. The two leaders will meet in Russia to watch the World Cup final taking place in the Luzhniki Stadium. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also invited to attend the meeting; whether or not he will be in attendance remains unconfirmed.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani arrived in Jerusalem for a six-day visit to Israel in an attempt to strengthen international cooperation for security, water management, and agriculture protection. This visit remains Rupani’s first trip abroad as chief minister, and occurs a few months after he hosted Prime Minister Netanyahu in Gujarat.
The Qatari Ambassador to Gaza, Mohammed Al-Emadi, confirmed on July 1 that for the first time Israel is holding discussions with the Hamas terror group to solve the humanitarian crisis that plagues the Strip. Al-Emadi, in an interview with a Chinese news agency, stated that “there still is no agreement between the two sides, only contacts ahead of an agreement.” The ambassador noted in his statement that the White House recommended infrastructure projects to help resupply water, alleviate scarcity of electricity, and to create work for residents.
Rescuers working to save a Thai youth soccer team trapped inside a flooded cave used Israeli technology to communicate with the team and their coach. Maxtech Network system linked a “daisy-chain of radio devices through the twisting water-submerged cavern” allowing the youths video connection and communication with the outside world. The communication system allowed Thai SEALs to reach the team, including medics who stayed with those trapped inside the cave. The team and coach were extracted from the cave on July 10.
Jewish Policy Center intern Brandon Becker compiled this report.
