Israeli Airbases in Azerbaijan

Israeli Airbases in Azerbaijan

Is Israel maintaining airbases in Azerbaijan? “Foreign Policy Magazine” is reporting that Israel has obtained permission from the Azerbaijani government to use four abandoned air force bases, located close to Iran’s border.

According to US sources, these are abandoned bases from the soviet era in the country. A former US intelligence senior official told the magazine, “It’s not certain that there’s a signed agreement between Jerusalem and Baku. However, I’m sure that if Israel wants to use those bases as part of an attack on Iran – no one in Azerbaijan would have an issue with it. After all, the countries have had strong ties for two decades.”

“We are following the developments between Israel and Azerbaijan," said another source in the US administration, “and we are not happy over them.” A source in the CIA told the magazine that in his opinion, Israel would not use the airbases in the framework of the initial attack of Iran’s nuclear facility. Rather, they would be used in the event of another attack.

An Israeli Shell in an Indian Tank

An Israeli Shell in an Indian Tank

India is equipping its Arjun tanks with the LAHAT missile produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The missile will provide the tank with the ability to hit moving targets from great distances while in motion.

IAI developed and produced the LAHAT – a laser-guided missile that can be launched from a tank's cannon, reaching its target by homing in on a laser spot. The shell-missile weighs approximately 12 kg and has a range of 8 kg, including a lethal 2.5 kg warhead.

Despite the many technical difficulties the Arjun tank project experienced over the years, its serial production and is well underway.

The Indian army recently announced that it intends to order 250 more improved Arjun tanks following the conclusion of the user tests. The newer version has received dozens of improvements compared to the MK-1 variant.

Improvements include its mobility, brigade-power, and the capability to fire missiles through a gun barrel. The tank will also be equipped with advanced reactive shielding.

The Indian Army has committed to continue procuring the tanks if the improvements prove worthy during testing. Four brigades equipped with the Arjun tanks are expected to be operational by 2016.

High Probability for Installation of Israeli Systems on India's New Fighter Aircraft

High Probability for Installation of Israeli Systems on India's New Fighter Aircraft

The Israeli defense industries are becoming optimistic. An updated assessment says that it is likely that India will purchase Israeli systems for its newly procured fighter aircraft – the French Rafale.

A senior source close to the issue said that while the first eighteen aircrafts will be equipped with French systems, it is possible that the other aircraft will be equipped with Israeli-produced systems.

The new assessment is based on the ongoing discussions between defense industry representatives and senior officials in India. “India recognizes the operational superiority of several Israeli systems, and it seems that they will ask for them,” said the source. He added that it’s possible India will insist that the systems be locally produced by companies that have cooperated with Israeli defense industries in the past.

India has already expressed its desire to equip its new fighter aircraft with Israeli-produced systems, though it is doubtful that the French government will approve the move. At this time, India is most interested in Rafael’s Litening pod, which is used for navigation and for locating ground targets.

The system, which is undergoing an upgrade to its fourth-generation series, is in use by air forces around the world and is considered the best of its kind.

IN FOCUS: Israel's M-346 selection fires up TOR joint venture

IN FOCUS: Israel's M-346 selection fires up TOR joint venture

Israel's mid-February selection of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 as the next advanced jet trainer for the nation's air force represents the green light for joint-venture service provider TOR to start work.

Formed by Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to facilitate the introduction of a fleet to replace the nation's Douglas A-4 Skyhawks, TOR will finance the purchase of about 30 twin-engined M-346 aircraft on behalf of the defence ministry.

In return for its financial support, the Israeli air force will buy flight hours on the new type at its flight academy at Hazerim air base, and also grant TOR a 20-year support and maintenance contract to support its activities using company personnel.

Initial indications suggest the M-346 deal could potentially value at $1 billion, with sources putting TOR's part in the financing programme at about $600 million. The remainder of the funds will come from foreign military financing grants to Israel from the USA. Israel can make use of the latter mechanism because the M-346 uses Honeywell F124 engines and other systems manufactured in the USA.

Formally selected following a protracted competition against the Korea Aerospace Industries T-50, the M-346 will enter Israeli service from 2014, the nation's air force said.

If the deal with TOR is concluded, Israel will become the third country to acquire the M-346, following Alenia Aermacchi's previous receipt of contracts from Italy and Singapore. Last month, the company delivered its second T-346A trainer to an Italian air force evaluation unit under an initial six-aircraft deal. It will hand over the first of 12 to the Republic of Singapore Air Force later this year.

Israel's search for a new advanced jet trainer has been a long one, with its requirement having been hindered by lack of funds. IAI had previously offered to develop two military versions of the Javelin very light/personal jet, then being developed by the USA's Advanced Technologies Group, but development work ended in 2008 after the latter failed to secure the $200 million required to pursue certification activities for the type.

Fielding a new jet trainer is the last major link in the modernisation of the Israeli air force's pilot-training mechanism, with the Grob G120A and Hawker Beechcraft T-6A used to deliver basic and primary instruction respectively. The future M-346 fleet will replace a mixed inventory of two-seat TA-4H/Js, 20 of which are in active use as recorded by Flightglobal's MiliCAS database. Israel also operates single-seat A-4Ns to support its training needs.

Israeli Derby Missile to Arm New Indian Fighter

Israeli Derby Missile to Arm New Indian Fighter
 India’s new Tejas fighter will be armed with Israel’s Derby missile, according to an Indian  website. The Derby is medium-range active-radar seeker air-to-air missile, that can hittargets at about 50 km. away. Missiles that can achieve this range are known by the acronym BVR - beyond visual range.

 

A contract for supplying the Derby will be signed by March with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Rafael will also fit the missiles on about 200 jets, according to P.S. Subramanya, director of India’s Aeronautical Development Agency, which is developing the light combat aircraft.

 

The Indian Air Force (known, like its Israeli counterpart, as the IAF) has ordered 40 Tejas fighters to be built. The Indian Air Force also wants 100 units of the Mk-II version of the fighter, and the navy wants 60 of the naval versions, Subramanya said.

 

The jet "recently obtained restricted initial operational clearance, with a full clearance targeted for December 2012," LiveMint said. In order to obtain full clearance, the jets need to integrate a BVR missile - therefore, delivery of the missiles is expected in the second half of 2012.

 

India’s Sea Harrier jets carry Derby missiles. Rafael's Python missile, closely related to the Derby, was also an option for the Tejas, Subramanya stated.

 

In the past decade, as the Muslim world grows more religious and bellicose, Israel has been forging ever-closer ties with natural allies that also face a Muslim threat. These include India and may soon include South Sudan.

Panetta believes Israel may strike Iran this spring

Panetta believes Israel may strike Iran this spring

United States Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes there is a growing possibility Israel will attack Iran as early as April to stop Tehran from building a nuclear bomb, according to reports. 

 The Washington Post first reported that Panetta was concerned about the increased likelihood Israel would launch an attack over the next few months. CNN said it confirmed the report, citing a senior
Obama administration official, who declined to be identified. 

 

"Panetta believes there is a strong likelihood that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June - before Iran enters what Israelis described as a 'zone of immunity' to commence building a nuclear bomb," Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote.

"Very soon, the Israelis fear, the Iranians will have stored enough enriched uranium in deep underground facilities to make a weapon - and only the United States could then stop them militarily," Ignatius wrote.

Ignatius did not cite a source. He was writing from Brussels where Panetta was attending a NATO defense ministers' meeting.

 


Panetta and the Pentagon both declined comment on the Post report.
Israel, widely believed to possess the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, views Iran's uranium enrichment projects as a major threat and has not ruled out the use of military force to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 




Iran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
The Post article said the postponement of a joint U.S.-Israeli military exercise that had been scheduled for this spring may have signaled the prospect of an Israeli attack soon. 


Washington and the European Union imposed tighter sanctions on Iran in recent weeks in a drive to force Tehran to provide more information on its nuclear program. 


Iran has said repeatedly it could close the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane if sanctions succeed in preventing it from exporting crude, a move Washington said it would not tolerate. 


Israel's military intelligence chief said on Thursday he estimated that Iran could make four atomic bombs by further enriching uranium it had already stockpiled, and could produce its first bomb within a year of deciding to build one. 


But in his rare public remarks, Major-General Aviv Kochavi held out the possibility that stronger international sanctions might dissuade Tehran from pursuing a policy he had no doubt was aimed at developing nuclear weapons. 


Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said separately that "if sanctions don't achieve the desired goal of stopping (Iran's) military nuclear program, there will be a need to consider taking action."  

Israel sells Pakistan military equipment

Israel sells Pakistan military equipment

The leading Israeli manufacturer of tankers, aircraft refuelers, fire fighting trucks, armored vehicles and special purpose trailers, Hatehof Ltd., reportedly provides Pakistan's Air Force with military equipment under a clandestine contract.

Nearly a month ago, 11 aircraft refueling trucks departed Hatehof's plant in the Tzippori industrial zone in Galilee region, situated 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of Nazareth, for the Port of Ashdod, located about 40 kilometers (24 miles) south of Tel Aviv, in the dead of the night.

The trucks were later boarded on a cargo ship in the Ashdod Port and dispatched to Turkey from where they were transported to Pakistan, according to a recent report aired on Israel's Channel 2 television network.

The report comes as the Israeli firm has sent several convoys of aircraft refueling trucks to Pakistan in order to equip the Muslim states' Air Force.

Under an agreement reached between Hatehof Ltd. and BMC -- one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in Turkey, truck chassis are sent to Israel to be converted into aircraft refueling trucks for Pakistan's Air Force. 

Israel resumes Apache upgrade programme

Israel resumes Apache upgrade programme

The Israeli air force has resumed an upgrade programme for its earliest Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, with three more aircraft now being modified.

Previous plans had called for the purchase of additional AH-64D Apache Longbows, but a decision was taken to instead modernise the air force's A-model aircraft to the enhanced configuration. The work was frozen last year because of budget problems, but has now resumed to answer operational needs.

The three AH-64As now being modified at a Boeing facility in the USA are scheduled to arrive back in Israel at the end of this year.

Israel currently operates 18 new and remanufactured AH-64D "Saraf" helicopters, with the type featuring some locally made weapon systems. In all, its Apache inventory totals around 50 aircraft, as recorded by Flightglobal's HeliCAS database.

Meanwhile, the Israeli air force is awaiting a decision from the US Army about whether the service will extend the service lives of some of its AH-64As. A decision to phase out the type would have an immediate effect on Israel's ability to use it.

Israel 'opts for Italian jet in $1B deal'

Israel 'opts for Italian jet in $1B deal'

Israel's air force has reportedly recommended buying Italy's M-346 Master advanced jet trainer, rather than South Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle, to replace its aging U.S.-built A-4 Skyhawks in a fiercely contested $1 billion contract.

The Israeli Defense Ministry is expected to announce which aircraft it has chosen "within a few weeks," the Haaretz daily reported.

If the contract for 25-30 supersonic trainers does go to Italy's Alenia Aermacchi, as indicated by Haaretz, it will mean the Israelis are turning their backs on a package deal worth $5 billion in defense deals offered by Seoul.

Indeed, the outcome of the convoluted bargaining involved in the contract has long hinged on what one senior Israeli defense official described as "the level of industrial cooperation" offered by the South Korean and Italian governments.

Until Monday, it had looked like state-run Korean Aerospace Industries' T-50 was the front-runner for the trainer contract. On Jan. 5, Udi Shani, director general of the Israeli Defense Ministry, flew to Seoul for what looked like the final round in the contest.

A week earlier, he'd been in Italy for bargaining sessions with Alenia Aermacchi.

Israeli air force sources said KAI's T-50 and Aermacchi's M346 were pretty much evenly matched when it came to operational capabilities. But it had been clear for some time that the deciding factor would be who offered the best deals to sweeten the pot for Israel's defense industry in a global market increasingly driven by export orders as military spending in the United States and Europe shrinks.

The Italians have offered deals with state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries, flagship of Israel's defense sector, worth $ 1 billion. In December, Seoul upped the ante by dangling potential deals worth $5 billion.

The contest has taken bizarre twists, so it might be premature to consider that the Italians will win the contract.

At one point, it looked like the T-50 was out in front. But then the South Koreans complained Israel had initialed a preliminary agreement with Italy, which if it went ahead was expected to be part of what Haaretz termed "a wide-ranging trade deal" between the countries.

Amos Harel, one of Israel's leading defense writers, reported in Haaretz that seven months ago Shani had indeed signed a preliminary deal with his Italian counterpart.

"The document, which was formulated according to demands submitted by Israel, expanded the deal beyond its original framework," Harel observed.

Italy reportedly pledged if Israel signed with Alenia Aermacchi, "the two sides would sign additional deals worth more than $1 billion."

These would include joint development of satellite projects, probably involving IAI, and the sale of unmanned aerial vehicles, an Israeli specialty, to Italy.

The Jerusalem Post recently reported that Rome was discussing a possible barter deal under which Italy would get two AWACs aircraft from IAI in exchange for the M-346 deal.

But KAI came up with a long-term package potentially worth $5 billion to persuade the Israelis to go for the T-50.

"KAI alone has offered Israel more than $1 billion in industrial cooperation if its aircraft is chosen," the Post reported. "The remaining deals are expected from the South Korean government."

Enes Park, KAI's executive vice president for marketing, said the planemaker was having talks with IAI, flagship of Israel's defense sector, and Haifa's Elbit Systems, one of the world's largest defense electronics manufacturers, about joint ventures that could involve lucrative deals for Israeli companies.

Italy had been seen as the front-runner because of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's close relations with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. But Berlusconi's resignation in November, hastened by a slew of political scandals, was thought to have undermined the Italian position.

Italian hopes took another hit Nov. 19 when an M-346 crashed into the Persian Gulf soon after taking off from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, where it had flown in a prestigious air show.

The two-man crew ejected safely. The cause of the accident hasn't been announced.

Seoul has indicated that if Israel buys the Italian trainer, all military procurement deals between the Jewish state and South Korea would be scrapped, Israel's media says. In recent years, Seoul has purchased Israeli defense products worth an average of $280 million annually.

Israel, India defence ties to grow stronger

Israel, India defence ties to grow stronger

The multi-billion dollar India-Israel defence market is set to grow as a number of military and security related contracts are likely to be inked soon, sources have said, as Tel Aviv is ready for joint production and sharing of technical know-how.

"The financial year gets over in March and we expect a number of deals to be signed. Most of them are in the last negotiation stages," a source said.

Asked what kind of deals are to be signed, the source said, "They are in various fields from upgradation to specialised software, buying of equipments and others".

In the last few years, Israel has emerged as the second largest defence supplier to India after Russia and following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Israel has become a major player in the homeland security arena too.

"You cannot ignore the fact that Israel has very high level of specialisation in such products. From buyer-seller relationship, we are now working jointly on research and development," another source said.

Defence trade with Israel includes buying of billions of dollars of military equipment including UAVs, missiles and command and control systems besides fire arms.

Sources said one of the main attractions of Israeli defence market was that Tel Aviv is ready to share its technical know-how and is ready for joint production.

The cooperation is not just on already developed projects but also which are futuristic.

It is not that India only needs Israel because Tel Aviv is also "pulling out all stops" to ensure that relations with India grows. 

In India, the buyers of Israeli defence and security equipments include the army, navy, air force, paramilitary forces and specialised counter-terrorism units and security agencies.

Sources said the software, weapons and arms that are being supplied by Tel Aviv are also being used by Israel's elite army thus ensuring dependability.

The area of cooperation in defence includes air defence systems. Modernisation of tanks and fighter aircraft is also another area where cooperation has increased in recent past.

Israel and US to hold joint missile drill

Israel and US to hold joint missile drill

Israel and the United States are to hold a joint missile defence exercise, the Israeli military has said.

Although the exercise, codenamed "Austere Challenge 12" comes at a time of spiralling regional tensions over Iran's suspected nuclear arms programme, the army said the manoeuvres were planned in advance.

"The exercise scenario involves notional, simulated events as well as some field training and is not in response to any real-world event," the military said Thursday in a written response to an AFP query.

"The US European Command and the Israel Defence Forces periodically conduct routine exercises in Israel. These exercises, which are part of a long-standing strategic partnership, are planned in advance and part of a routine training cycle designed to improve the interoperability of our defence systems." 

It did not say when the exercise would take place.

Local media said that it would get underway in the spring and would be the biggest ever joint manoeuvres between the two allies.

Israel and the United States have a longstanding strategic alliance and are jointly developing the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system.

In November, the Jewish state staged a major civil defence drill in the Tel Aviv region aimed at simulating a response to conventional and non-conventional missile attacks.

Although Iran says its nuclear programme is for civilian use only, the international community believes it is striving to acquire nuclear arms and Israel says that it is a prime target of the Islamic republic.

Iran has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil flows, if it is hit with sanctions, and has warned the United States not to send an aircraft carrier back into the Gulf.

Last week it test-fired three missiles during war games east of the Strait at the entrance to the Gulf.

Israel axed Turkish F-16 sensor contract over Iran fears

Israel axed Turkish F-16 sensor contract over Iran fears

Intelligence data that pointed to the possible transfer of Israeli-developed technology from Turkey to Iran was behind the sudden cancellation of a $141 million contract to supply sensors to the Turkish air force according to sources.

As reported on 22 December, the Israeli ministry of defence blocked the 2009 deal won jointly by Elbit Systems's Elop division and by the Elta business of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) .

The pod, developed for the Turkish air force's Lockheed Martin F-16s, includes an SAR radar and an advanced large area scanning electro-optical sensor.

The almost complete severance of relations between Israel and Turkey contrasts with the relatively cordial atmosphere between Turkey and Iran.

Israeli sources said on 23 December that the decision was "inevitable" given the current diplomatic climate and the highly advanced technology involved.

Israel cancels deal with Turkey for F-16 upgrades

Israel cancels deal with Turkey for F-16 upgrades

In a sign of worsening relations between the two countries, the Israeli ministry of defence has cancelled a deal to supply optical and radar imagery intelligence systems to the Turkish air force for its Lockheed Martin F-16s.

The $141 million contract was signed in 2009 and was won jointly by Elbit Systems's Elop division, which was to supply its long-range oblique photography system (Lorops), and by Israel Aerospace Industries's Elta business with its SAR radar system.

Both Israeli companies were acting as subcontractors to Turkish firm Aselsan.

However, on 22 December the ministry of defence notified the two Israeli companies that their export permits were cancelled.

Israel tests advanced ballistic missile

Israel tests advanced ballistic missile

 Israel successfully test fired an advanced ballistic missile from a base outside Tel Aviv, with media reports saying that the weapon was capable of striking Iran.

A statement issued by Defence Ministry said the missile was fired on Wednesday from the Palmahim Israel Defence Forces base in central Israel.

"The test was part of an examination of a new missile currently being developed by the defence establishment," the Ha'aretz newspaper reported quoting the official statement.

Other foreign media said that the rocket fired was a Jericho missile capable of carrying nuclear warhead and striking Iran.

The firing of the missile comes amid media reports here that Israel was mulling a possible military strike to foil Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Ha'aretz said that Israeli leaders had held discussions on possible pre-emptive military action against Iran, though no decisions are believed to have been made.

Israeli military eyes AirMule for medevac missions

Israeli military eyes AirMule for medevac missions

The Israeli military has identified an operational requirement for an unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform that will be used to perform resupply and medical evacuation tasks from the front line.

Efforts are now being made to allocate a budget for the requirement in the services' new multi-year acquisition plan and the defence ministry will participate in the funding of the proposed solution.

Israeli VTOL aircraft developer Urban Aeronautics' AirMule ducted fan unmanned air system is the only candidate for the missions, with the company's prototype having recently completed another series of test flights. These were focused on its automatic take-off and landing system and precision hovering feature, sources said.

The need is based on the lessons learned from the second Lebanon war, where Israeli combat units encountered difficulties in receiving supplies from helicopters. The same difficulties were experienced by medical crews when they needed to perform the urgent evacuation of casualties.

With a maximum take-off weight of 1,400kg (3,090lb), the AirMule has a planned maximum speed of 97kt (180km/h), a 12,000ft (3,660m) service ceiling and an endurance of up to 5h.

Urban Aeronautics plans to perform its next series of test flights in southern Israel, including activities to open up the AirMule's flight envelope.