Israel Military developments

[Neil]

U.S., Israel close to deal on F-35 fighters

The United States and Israel are days away from reaching an agreement on the sale of 19 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets, which would be the first foreign military sale of the new warplane.

"The ball is in their court," Vice Admiral Jeffrey Wieringa, who heads the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, told Reuters at the Farnborough Airshow.

"I am waiting for them to make a decision any day," said Wieringa, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Lockheed declined comment on the status of the arms deal, since it will be concluded between the U.S. and Israeli governments, but said the fact that Israel wants to buy the new F-35 fighter underscored global confidence in the jet.

Analysts say the deal is worth about $3 billion.

"When they select F-35, we believe it's a testimony to the capabilities of the jet," Steve O'Bryan, Lockheed's vice president for F-35 business development, told Reuters, noting that Israel faces some formidable security challenges. (Reuters Insider http://link.reuters.com/WAB97m)

Lockheed said it is close to reaching an agreement with the U.S. government on procurement of a fourth batch of 32 F-35 fighters, and a deal could come "any day."

Company officials, speaking in interviews and at a news conference, underscored their commitment to working with the Pentagon to continue driving down the cost of the F-35 program -- at over $300 billion the biggest weapons program in history.

O'Bryan said the contract for the fourth batch of airplanes would be 20 percent lower than that of the previous batch of fighters, and half the price of the first batch.

"We think the early signs are encouraging, but there's a lot of work to do," O'Bryan said.

FIRST FOREIGN MILITARY SALE

Israel would be the first foreign country to sign an agreement to buy the F-35 outside the eight international partners that have helped develop the plane.

The deal has been in negotiations since September 2008, when the Pentagon first approved the sale of 25 fighters with an option for 50 more in coming years.

News of the imminent Israeli deal comes less than a week after Canada, one of the eight development partners, announced that it will buy 65 new fighter jets from Lockheed for C$9 billion ($8.6 billion).

Lockheed is developing the new F-35 fighter in cooperation with Canada and seven other partner countries: Turkey, Britain, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands.

O'Bryan said both deals were good news for cost-cutting efforts on the $300-billion-plus arms program, since they would increase the economies of scale for the program, which includes many automated production facilities.

Wieringa said the agreement had strong support from top Pentagon and Obama administration officials, who view arms sales as "part and parcel" of U.S. national security policy.

He declined to give any details on what specific radars and other equipment would be included with the F-35 fighters to be sold to Israel, which had expressed concerns early on about lacking access to some critical technologies for the plane.

One source familiar with the discussions said that in the end Israel had been satisfied with the level of technology included in the agreement.

Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also considering buying the Lockheed F-35 fighter to modernize their air forces.

O'Bryan said the United States has also given classified briefings to other countries interested in the F-35 fighter, including Greece and Belgium. Finland and Spain are also interested in the new warplane, he said.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20100719/746/tbs-u-s-israel-close-to-deal-on-f-35-fig_1.html

 

[youngindian]

India's Israeli-Arab tightrope walk


http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/07/2010719123045648156.html

 

[Neil]

Israel Mulling Delays in F-35 Deliveries

As many of us are aware, the IDF had previously expressed an interest in obtaining the F-35 as quickly as possible to help ensure Israel's qualitative edge. They were looking at a service introduction date of 2014 (and some sources claimed as soon as 2013). The previous, Bush Administration was also willing to allow Israel early access to the airplane, ahead of US NATO allies and Japan.

Negotiations, however, became bogged down over two issues: the installation of Israeli electronics gear; and price. The US has been unwilling to allow Israel access to some of the source code necessary to fully integrate Israeli electronics into the F-35, afraid that US "secrets" would be revealed in the process. The Israelis were eventually able to persuade the Pentagon that Israeli aircraft should be equipped with Israeli communications gear, and should be able to handle Israeli air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. However, the Pentagon had not yet been persuaded to allow the IDF to install an Israeli ECM suite - which would have given the Israelis the ability to customize their electronic countermeasures to respond to emerging threats without US assistance. They also wanted to charge the IDF more than double the learned-out production cost for the delivery of these early aircraft - even with minimal modifications to allow the incorporation of Israeli weapons and communications gear.

What this latest article suggests, is that the IDF has consequently decided that without the ability to customize the F-35 to meet their needs, the priority for obtaining the aircraft is lower. They are now evaluating deals for the delivery of aircraft in 2016, rather than 2014, with an eye towards obtaining a lower purchase price, and towards settling the outstanding issues that divide Israeli and Pentagon planners.

 

[youngindian]

Israel, U.S. sign deal to upgrade Arrow missile shield


http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE66O1ME20100725

 

[Oracle]

Israel to hit Lebanon if Hezbollah attacks: Defense minister

WASHINGTON: Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak warned Monday that Israel will strike directly at Lebanese institutions if the militant group Hezbollah launches rockets at Israeli town.

Barak, who held talks in Washington on Monday with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, made clear in an interview that his government will not tolerate any more Hezbollah attacks.

If Hezbollah fires a rocket into Tel Aviv, "we will not run after each Hezbollah terrorist or launcher," Barak told The Washington Post.

"We will see it as legitimate to hit any target that belongs to the Lebanese state, not just to Hezbollah," he added.

When asked to comment on the Barak interview, state department spokesman Philip Crowley said: "Israel has a right to self defense. Obviously we'd rather see a launch of peace talks rather than rockets."

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said Israel is "trying to justify a war against Lebanon that it could launch when it wishes" and has complained of Israeli surveillance flights over Lebanese territory, The Post pointed out.

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have escalated amid reports that Lebanese activists plan to dispatch aid ships to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip despite an Israeli blockade, the newspaper said.

Barak called the aid ships an "unnecessary provocation", according to The Post.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...acks-Defense-minister/articleshow/6221455.cms

 

[youngindian]

Israel signs contract with U.S to develop arrow 3 Anti-Missile Defense System.


http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defe...o develop arrow 3 Anti-Missile Defense System

 

[Neil]

Hamas leader killed in Israeli airstrike

GAZA: A leading member of Hamas was killed and eight others were injured in Israeli airstrikes on three targets in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources confirmed on Saturday.

The airstrikes took place late on Friday.

Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, announced that one of its leaders, Issa Abdul-Hadi Al-Batran, 40, died in the strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Medical sources said that eight Palestinians had been injured in the strike, aimed at a training compound of Hamas security forces.

Hamas security sources said that the Israeli jet carried out two other strikes on the eastern and southern Gaza Strip. It has been the most lethal strike from Israeli forces in months.

They said the planes targeted an empty area in eastern Gaza Strip and smuggling tunnels dug under the border area between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

In a second incident, the Israeli army opened fire Saturday against three Palestinians in the southern border crossing of Erez. According to Palestinian reports they were looking for metal scraps near the fence which separates Gaza from Egypt and three were injured.

The Israeli army said the airstrikes came in response to a Russian-made Grad rocket fired from the Gaza Strip at the southern coastal Israeli town of Ashkelon. That cause minor damage but no injuries.

The Israeli army also said that the targets were "terror infrastructure" in Gaza.

The armed wing of the radical Hamas movement vowed Saturday to revenge the death of one of its militants in an overnight Israeli air raid on the Gaza Strip.

"This new stupidity won't easily pass. We promise revenge for the blood of our martyr," the al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement faxed to reporters.

The pro-Hamas Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a response to a decision by the Arab League peace committee to resume direct talks with Israel.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-in-Israeli-airstrike/articleshow/6241760.cms

 

[Neil]

Germany to lease Israeli unmanned aircraft systems, GA-ASI says

Germany's military has rejected a proposal to buy Predator B unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) made by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI), the company's top executive says.

The Federal Ministry of Defence considered both the Predator B and two UAS made by Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) - the Heron TP and the Heron -- but has apparently rejected the proposal by GA-ASI.

"Germany is going a different path," says GA-ASI chief executive officer Thomas Cassidy. "They are looking at leasing from an Israeli company. Whether or not that continues or not I don't know. We have Predator Bs available if they want to switch to Predator Bs."

The Predator B is also known as the MQ-9 Reaper with the US Air Force and several international customers.

Cassidy's remarks come one year after the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress that Germany had requested the sale of five MQ-9s worth $205 million. That contract never materialized, and Germany considered both the Predator B and IAI-built aircraft for the deal.

IAI North America CEO Uzzi Rozzen could not confirm that either the Heron or Heron TP had been selected by the German military. Rozzen, however, notes that IAI and German officials are currently involved in sensitive negotiations. But a deal has not been completed, he adds.

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...israeli-unmanned-aircraft-systems-ga-asi.html

 

[Neil]

Israel Denies Talks on German Submarine Purchase

JERUSALEM - Israel's defense ministry said July 23 it was not looking to buy a sixth submarine from Germany at this time, after a German media report that Berlin had rejected an Israeli request for a subsidy.

"Following press reports, we wish to clarify that there are no negotiations with Germany for the purchase by Israel of an additional submarine," the ministry said in a statement.

"The question of a discount (by Germany) for such an acquisition is therefore not relevant," the statement added, referring to an article July 23 in Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

The report said that Chancellor Angela Merkel had made known that Berlin would not reduce the price of a sixth German-made Dolphin-class submarine for Israel because of budget constraints.

German government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said there were "no concrete negotiations between Israel and Germany about a sixth submarine" and he could not comment on possible "informal talks" on the subject.

He confirmed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Merkel had spoken by telephone this week in a conversation focused on efforts toward Middle East peace but said he could not comment on whether the submarine was mentioned.

Israel's navy has three Dolphin-class submarines, two of which were bought after the 1991 Gulf War.

Israel has two other Dolphin submarines on order, being built at the Kiel shipyard in northern Germany and due for delivery in 2012.

Media reports have said the submarines can carry nuclear warheads and have an operating range of 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles).

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4721122&c=SEA&s=EUR

 

[Patriot]

Israel Eyes M600 Ballistic Missile Threat

Aug 6, 2010


By David A. Fulghum
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Israeli strategic planners paint a future for the Middle East as one that is shifting rapidly as a result of the introduction of advanced weaponry, refined tactics by non-state military forces, unstable governments and the strengthening of what has been dubbed the "radical axis."

At the top of the list of worries are weak, failing states, the growth of strong radical non-governments with strategic weapons, and the flight of millions of moderates from the region. About 14 million Christians and Sunnis have left Lebanon during the last two decades, while the ratio of Christians to Shiites in parts of the West Bank dropped to 20% from 60-80%. And another pending crisis will be the increased threat to Jordan as the U.S. exits Iraq.

That leaves Israeli leadership with the problem of weighing the threats and establishing a set of priorities for how to deal with the most pressing demands.

"Priority one is a nuclear Iran," says a senior planner for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). "If they continue at the current rate, in three years they will be very close" to having a nuclear weapon.

Israeli calculations are that Iran has 2,400 kg. (5,280 lb.) of low-enriched uranium. LEU has less than a 20% concentration of U-235. If they build a stockpile of 4,000-5,000 kg., they are considered as having moved into the weapons threshold. Iran's operation of 3,000 centrifuges was considered as crossing a "pink line." Having enough enriched uranium for a bomb is considered a red line. Iran's possession of a bomb will create a nuclear umbrella for Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, analysts contend.

"So Israeli defense policy is to delay Iranian nuclear development [now] and stop it in the future," the official says. "We think there is a possibility to stop or considerably delay the Iranian nuclear program with diplomatic efforts and military efforts other than strike," he says. "There are other intelligence and clandestine options to delay Iran's program."

The nuclear threat is followed in importance by the proliferation of advanced weapons—primarily various types of ballistic missiles with improved guidance—in the hands of the radical axis.

Arms transfers are illustrated by the interception of six shipments of weapons from Iran and North Korea to Hezbollah. A train shipment was destroyed in Turkey by the Kurds in 2007. A ship full of weapons was interned in Cyprus in 2008. Four ships were located in 2009 (including one that transferred its load of arms to a new ship in Egypt), and an airliner from North Korea was intercepted in Thailand. The containers in all the transfers were 122-mm., 220-mm. and 302-mm. rockets plus 107-mm. and 106-mm. high-explosive anti-tank rounds for Chinese- and Spanish-made weapons that are used by Hamas.

In Lebanon are 3,000-4,000 medium-range rockets that can fire from both north and south of the Litani River, say Israeli analysts. Additional hundreds of long-range rockets can fire from deep in Lebanon to deep into Israel. Depots of missiles are now located in the Bekaa Valley and south of the Litani with a strategic reserve stashed in Beirut.

The M600 Zelzal is "very problematic" because of its improved guidance and 150-250-mi. range, an Israeli official says. "And now there is the Scud [ballistic missile] that in principle can strike Jordan and Egypt. The ammunition was transferred to Hezbollah by Syria and Iran via [the latter's] Qods force."
Several storage sites for these rockets in Syria belong to Hezbollah.

"That's where Syria transferred some Scud-Ds to Hezbollah," he says. "Some stayed in the swap zones in Syria and others went to depots in Lebanon. But while everybody is concerned about the Scuds, they are no more problematic than the M600 missiles."

The warhead of the M600 is not as big as the Scud-D's, and it cannot reach Beersheba south of Jerusalem, but it does have other attributes.

"It is much, much more accurate," the Israeli analyst says. "They took the Iranian Fateh 110 rocket and improved them in Syria to the M600. The Syrians have many projects for building their own forces. But part of even the newest projects go to Hezbollah. It is like they are responsible for building two organizations. That is how those non-state governments are getting strategic capabilities.

"The Gaza Strip is the same," the official says. "Eight years ago, Hamas had hand-made, 4-km. [2.5-mi.] rockets. Today they have the 40-km. Grad and the 75-km. Fajr. They can affect the Tel Aviv area."

With the transfer of weapons has also gone a steady stream of intelligence that concerns officials here.

Russia has supplied intelligence to Syria, and the intel-sharing between Syria, Hezbollah and Iran is huge, say analysts here.

"The J-2 [intelligence organization] of the Lebanese military is totally penetrated by Hezbollah," says the senior Israeli official. "There are 130 Shiite villages [in southern Lebanon] that provide firing sites for short- and medium-range rockets. They have a concept of operations completely separate from the Lebanese army. There are at least 22 weapon storage sites and 13 command-and-control or headquarters locations.

Photo Credit: Israel Aerospace Industries











http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/awst/2010/08/09/AW_08_09_2010_p44-243730.xml&headline=Israel Eyes M600 Ballistic Missile Threat&channel=awst

 

[Neil]

Ashkenazi: a 'Naval Shield' will Meet Next Flotillas

After taking responsibility for the problematic nature of the May 31 IDF naval raid on the "Free Gaza" flotilla, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Wednesday that the next enemy flotillas will be met differently.

"We know that the next flotillas that will try to break through our borders and the weapons ships that will try to arm the terror organizations will be blocked by the naval defensive shield of the State of Israel, of the Navy," Ashkenazi said at a graduation ceremony of the Navy's Ship Captain Course, at a naval base in Haifa.

"In these times, when the sea and shores of the Middle East are even more stormy than in times of routine, we all look at the de-legitimization campaign that our enemies are conducting against the State of Israel, including the next flotillas," he said.

Earlier in the day, Ashkenazi testified before the Turkel Committee appointed to probe the raid, and acknowledged there were problems with the IDF's intelligence on the nature of the flotilla, and in the way the raid was carried out.

Brigadier-General (res.) Tzvika Fogel, former Head of Southern Command, said Wednesday that the Chief of Staff's testimony before the Turkel Committee marked a return to sanity. "It is very fortunate that the Chief of Staff took responsibility for the IDF's actions, or they would have summoned the Naval Commando soldiers to testify as well," Fogel said. "The Chief of Staff put an end to the dishonorable saga that was taking place here, with each person rolling responsibility on the other."

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/139074

 

[Neil]

Barak approves purchase of F-35s

Israel to receive first 20 fighters in 2015, cost estimated at $2.75b.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave his approval Sunday for the purchase of the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by the Israeli Air Force from the US.

"The F-35 is a fighter jet of the future that will enable Israel to continue its air superiority and mainatain its qualitative edge in the region," said Barak. "The plane will provide the air force with better long-range and short-range capabilities in a manner that will help ensure national security."

While the Pentagon has approved an Israeli request to purchase 75 aircraft, Israel plans – at the initial stage – to only buy around 20 JSFs. The deal is estimated to cost $2.75 billion. Barak will take the deal to the cabinet for final approval.

Two main obstacles have impeded Israeli procurement plans until now – the price of the aircraft, likely to reach just over $140 million, as well as US opposition to the integration of Israeli-designed technical systems into the plane.

Due to the high price of the aircraft, Israel will buy a first batch configured like the standard US version. The initial planes will begin arriving in Israel towards the end of 2015.

The second batch of the aircraft, likely to arrive in the second half of the decade, will be designed according to Israeli specifications and include Israeli-made systems.

From the Jerusalem Post:

 

[prateikf]

it is good to see the great nation of Israel marching ahead. while our nation is being ruled by spineless, idiotic old men who have are busy in destroying what is left our nation. wonder who the enemy is

 

[youngindian]

Israel's 'mistakes' over flotilla.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hxzJBLhHT56jkIP7pqCaPSfMRvJQ

 

[youngindian]

Israel gives Obama reason to worry.


http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LH17Ak02.html

 

[Neil]

it is good to see the great nation of Israel marching ahead. while our nation is being ruled by spineless, idiotic old men who have are busy in destroying what is left our nation. wonder who the enemy is

even we know who the enemy is....the problem is we dont know how to deal with it.....thats where we need to built in....

 

[Neil]

IAF mulls purchase of South Korean fighter jets

For first time in 40 years, Israel considers jet not made locally or in U.S. to replace veteran Skyhawk.

A delegation of three Israeli Air Force officers will leave for South Korea this week to examine the T-50 Golden Eagle, a candidate to replace the IAF's veteran Skyhawk jets. This is the first time in 40 years that Israel is considering purchasing a fighter jet not made locally or in the United States.

The IAF seeks to purchase 20 to 30 light attack jets to be used by pilot school cadets in advanced stages of combat pilot training. The T-50 is produced by Korean Airspace, in partnership with American company Lockheed-Martin. It took its maiden flight in 2002 and is used in the South Korean air force as a light attack jet and for training purposes. The IAF has been taking interest in the jet since as early as 2003, and the positive impressions gathered over the years have led to the unusual step of sending an official delegation to examine a non-American fighter aircraft.

Other candidates for purchase include the T-45, an American model of the British Hawk training aircraft, and the M-346, produced by the Italian firm Alenia Aermacchi. At the moment the T-50 appears to be in the lead, as its performance matches closely that of the IAF destroyers, especially the F-16s.

The Skyhawk, set to be replaced by the new purchase, first arrived to Israel in 1968, marking the beginning of the American era for IAF, which used mostly French jets at the time. The Skyhawk served in bombing and close air support.

Today several dozens Skyhawks still serve in the 102 squadron ("Flying Tiger"), and in the pilot training school. Last year an expose in The Marker revealed a series of flaws in the maintenance of the jets, which led to the temporary grounding of the entire contingent. Sources in the IAF said recently they have overcome those issues, but admitted that using such an old airplane was "disconcerting."

IAF mulls purchase of South Korean fighter jets - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

 

[Patriot]

IAI to Supply TAMAM's TMAPS and ADNAV to Israel Defense Forces

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) was awarded a multi- year contract to supply TAMAM's Modular Azimuth Position System (TMAPS) and the Advanced Navigation System (ADNAV), to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The contract has the potential to reach approximately $30 million (USD).

The systems will be utilized on the "Merkava" tank, and on the "Namer" Merkava-based armored personal carrier (APC), respectively. ADNAV and TMAPS are exhibited at the annual Latrun Conference held these days in Israel, organized by The Institute for Land Warfare Studies, the Israeli Ground Forces, and the Armored Corps Memorial Site and the Latrun Museum Association.

Mr. Shaul Shahar, General Manger of IAI's TAMAM Division, said: " The TMAPS and the ADNAV are part of TAMAM's advanced line of successful land navigation systems, and we are proud hat the IDF has chosen our system for its Merkava tanks and its new Namer APCs."

The inertial navigation systems provide position, heading and orientation data. The TMAPS and the ADNAV are suitable for many types of platforms (tanks, APCs, self propelled guns, towed guns, artillery radars, rocket launchers, and armored, reconnaissance, logistic, command, surveillance, special forces, and other kinds of vehicles) in different battlefield scenarios, including urban areas.

Based on TAMAM's excellent Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) and Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) technologies, the TMAPS and the ADNAV are the most cost-effective advanced inertial navigation systems available, and can operate in GPS-disturbed or jammed battlefield scenarios.





ASIAN DEFENCE: IAI to Supply TAMAM's TMAPS and ADNAV to Israel Defense Forces

 

[Neil]

Israel-bound submarines banned from testing in Norway's waters

Oslo decision means German shipbuilder HDW will have to carry out deep-water testing of Israeli vessels elsewhere.

Israel-bound submarines will no longer be allowed to undergo tests in Norwegian territory, as part of the country's ban on security exports to Israel, Norway has informed a German shipbuilder.

In early 2011, the Israeli navy is due to receive one improved Dolphin submarine built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW ), a German shipbuilding company based in Kiel. It is scheduled to receive another one in 2012.

HDW leases a Norwegian submarine base to test its new submarines.

The first new Dolphin submarine has begun water trials, supervised by an Israeli team in Germany.

Following Oslo's decision, the German shipbuilder will have to carry out its deep-water testing at another site.

The Israeli navy's Squadron 7 has been using three Dolphin submarines for the past decade. The two new submarines are costing about 1.3 billion euros, according to German media reports, and Germany is funding a third of that.

The navy is expanding its submarine capabilities and doubling the number of operational crews, enabling them to undertake long-range missions far from their home port.

Israel and Germany recently discussed building a third submarine, Defense News reported.

The new submarines have an advanced propulsion system that enables them to stay submerged for up to three weeks.

In addition to their combat and intelligence gathering missions, Dolphin submarines are equipped with nuclear-head cruise missiles, according to foreign media reports.

Four months ago a Dolphin submarine passed southward via the Suez Canal in what was seen as an Israeli move to position a submarine in Persian Gulf waters.

HDW shipyards, one of the largest in the world, leases from the Norwegian government the Marvika submarine base on Norway's southern shore as a base for testing new submarines. During WWII this port served as a base for the German fleet's submarines.

The port serves as a departure point for deep-water experiments of up to 700 meters, and Israel's first three Dolphin submarines were tested here. Such experiments are necessary to locate structural weaknesses in the submarines' system, and are part of every new submarine's trial process.

Norway's foreign ministry advised HDW several weeks ago that it will no longer allow it to use its territory for naval experiments on submarines intended for the Israeli navy.

This is not Norway's first security boycott on Israel. A year ago the Norwegian State Pension Fund announced it was dropping Elbit Systems due to the manufacturer's involvement in building the West Bank separation fence.

The Norwegian treasury said the fence was infringing on Palestinians' human rights.

Israel's Foreign Ministry declined to comment.

Norway's foreign ministry commented that it does not respond to specific decisions regarding the export of military equipment and services.

When asked about these developments on Norwegian television last week, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said, "We have extremely rigorous restrictions on exporting security goods and services ... we don't export materials or services to states at war or in which there is a danger of war."

He did not mention Israel directly.

The German Thyssenkrupp group, which owns the shipyards that manufacture the Dolphin submarines, declined to comment.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-editio...nned-from-testing-in-norway-s-waters-1.316518

 

[Neil]

General Dynamics to develop Namer APC for IDF

Move will increase the survivability of Israeli military forces; Israel in negotiations with several countries over Merkava sale

Production will begin soon in the US of the IDF's new Namer (leopard in Hebrew, pronounced nah-mer) armored personnel carrier (APC) after the Defense Ministry awarded General Dynamics a massive tender to develop the vehicle.

The move is poised to increase the survivability of Israeli military forces, At the cutting edge of APC technology and claimed to be one-of-its-kind in the world by officers in the Ground Forces Command, the Namer is based on the Merkava MK4 Battle Tank and is claimed to have an ever-high level of reinforced steel protection. The decision to develop the new APC was made after the Second Lebanon War in 2006 during which IDF armor suffered heavy losses to Hizbullah anti-tank missiles.

Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade has already been outfitted with the Namer and a senior Defense Ministry official said that the remaining three Golani battalions would receive the APC over the next three years.

Under the tender awarded to General Dynamics, Israel will manufacture around 600 Namers over the next eight years. BAE Systems and Textron also competed for the tender which will, in a first phase, reach $400 million. Local industry could benefit from tens of millions of dollars in industrial cooperation during that time period.

In addition, the Defense Ministry is in talks with a number of countries, including Colombia, over the possible sale of the Merkava, the IDF's main battle tank, The Jerusalem Post has learned. Israel has never sold the Merkava, the largest military platform it manufactures independently.

The decision to open the Merkava for export was made by Defense Ministry directorgeneral Udi Shani as part of an effort to increase Israeli defense sales to around $10 billion annually.

The decision to issue the Namer tender in the US was made due to budgetary constraints.

If the Namer is made in the US, the IDF will be able to pay for the production with the foreign military financial aid it receives annually from the US and most of which needs to be spent in America.

The Namer has advanced defensive systems and an internal air-conditioning unit which enables the vehicle to continue operating in areas contaminated by nonconventional weapons. The Namer carries a number of machine guns, missile launchers, and reconnaissance equipment.

The Namer will also be equipped with an active-protection system developed by Israel Military Industries called the Iron Fist active and which is said to be capable of intercepting and destroying a wide range of anti-tank missiles, from old rocket- propelled grenades and standard tank shells to the new generation of Russian-made advanced missiles in Hizbullah's and Syria's arsenals.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=192508