44 Skyhawks For Sale

The SIBAT department of the Israeli Ministry of Defense is calling defense entities, militaries and countries from around the world and inviting them to acquire the fleet of Skyhawk aircraft which have been in IDF service since the 1960s.
The Skyhawk was the first fighter aircraft that the United States agreed to sell to Israel, and the Israeli Air Force began using the aircraft in 1967. Today, the aircraft are used for combat training and instruction in the framework of the IAF’s  flight course, and the sale comes as part of the preparation for when the IAF receives the new Italian M-346 trainer aircraft.
During the recent operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, the IAF used the Skyhawk aircraft for casting notices above the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Defense is interested in selling the 44 Skyhawk aircraft for several

Israel Deploys Rocket Shield to Eilat

The Israel Defense Force has deployed its Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system to the area of the port city of Eilat, which has come under rocket fire in recent days from inside Egypt, army representatives told RIA Novosti.
The basing of the Iron Dome installations is for technical reasons and not due to changing operational circumstances in the Eilat area, which is popular with tourists including large numbers of Russian visitors, an IDF servicewoman said.
"Iron Dome is currently being tested all across Israel and it is in this context that it is being based in Eilat," she said. Local press reports say the Iron Dome batteries are being matched to the topography of the local terrain.

Israel Is Testing A Cellphone Warning System For Incoming Missile Attacks

Israel is under a pretty consistent threat from rockets launched by Palestinian militants, but as talk of a possible Iranian military strike continue the threat of attack is vastly expanded, and officials are working on ways to minimize potential fatalities.
Xinhua News reports that one strategy Israeli officials have come up with is a text message warning system that began a week long series of tests on Sunday. The system is designed to plot the trajectory of incoming missiles, and unguided rockets and blanket area cell phones with an incoming alert.
The idea is that residents will have enough time to make their way to shelters and help keep the number of potential deaths down.
Israeli authorities currently estimate a retaliatory strike by Iran will incur about 300 fatalities, a number that's unacceptable to many residents. A Facebook campaign called "How Many Is 300, Really?" was launched to publicize the figure and has about 420 "likes" on the social networking site.

IMI's Iron Fist system rams through trials

Israel Ministry Industries says anti-tank missile defense system akin to Trophy likely to become operational by 2013

The Israel Ministry Industries is pursing the full-throttle development of the Iron Fist proactive anti-tank missile defense system. The company sees vast market potential for the system, despite the fact that the IDF has chosen the Rafael-made Trophy defense system (AKA "Windbreaker") for its Merkava tanks.

While Trophy is already operational, the IMI's system is still in its development stages, albeit the advanced ones. The defense establishment originally sought to combine the two systems, but that idea did not prove viable.

Defense sources said that Iron Fist has several capabilities that allow it to intercept a wide range of missiles – even those fired at close range. The sources added that the IMI system is likely to be cheaper than Rafael's as well, but explain that equipping tanks with Trophy could not be delayed and that is has already prevented several tanks from being hit.

The IMI believes Iron Fist will be in demand in global markets. Defense sources said that the system also has add-on features, which enable its installation on tanks sans any unnecessary modifications for the armored vehicle.

Israel to Create Control Headquarters for All Aerial Defense and Anti-missile Systems

Israeli Air Defense Formation plans to concentrate all systems within a year, enabling tracking of operation as well as malfunctions of all systems across the country

 The Israeli Air Defense Formation plans to create a national control headquarters that will concentrate all aerial defense and interception systems.

Head of the interception systems department, Lt. Col. Lior Becher said, "The purpose is to enable tracking of all systems and their operation around the clock, ensuring the radars and launching systems are operating well and without any communication malfunctions."

Lt. Col. Becher explained that there are situations when a system malfunctions, but must continue responding to threats. The new headquarters will allow repairing the system as well as continuing operation. "The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system for example, enables us to detect the exact location threatened by the missile, and that is why the information centers will be able to better determine whether an interception is crucial or whether the malfunction can be treated," he said.

The headquarters will receive a situation report that will include outputs of the systems. Lt. Col. Becher added, "Tracking output as well as the numerous defense systems spread throughout the country is difficult manually. Using a control headquarters we will be able to efficiently accomplish this as well as point out malfunctions and repair them."

 Asian Defence News

Israeli armouring firm teams with UK engineers to display RPG solution

At the DVD show in Millbrook last week Plasan Sas, the Israeli armour specialists, teamed up with British engineering firm Marshall Land Systems to display the Ultra FlexFence applique armour.

The innovative system is a lightweight solution to protect armoured vehicles from the RPG threat. Using “optimised” materials, Plasan says that FlexFence is the ultimate balance between cost, weight and performance for protection against RPGs. It also works without a stand-off, meaning the vehicle’s manoeuvrability is maintained and does not impair its performance.

Dani Ziv, Plasan's CEO, said: “The system represents a significant milestone in the quest for an effective defence for light vehicles against the scourge of RPGs. This new technology, based on the most cutting-edge materials, methods and engineering processes, safeguards the lives of soldiers on the battlefield by providing protection levels substantially beyond current standards - while adding the smallest possible weight to the vehicle.”

Plasan and Marshall Land Systems have been working together since signing a Joint Venture back in February 2010. The 50:50 JV is based in the UK and was created to boost Marshall’s armour design and manufacture capabilities to be more competitive in the UK market.

“Marshall Land Systems and Plasan are working closely together to provide UK MoD with the highest performing RPG protection solution available today,” said Peter Callaghan, Chief Executive of Marshall Land Systems. “We are providing established program management and vehicle systems engineering expertise, whilst our partner Plasan provides the very best RPG defeat solutions.”

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