The new version of the aircraft will be adapted in Israel for intelligence, observation, and light strike missions, with an emphasis on low operating cost, prolonged air endurance, and fast response. The choice of a durable, light, and simple-to-maintain platform provides a solution for the needs of the Gaza and Lebanon borders, where continuous aerial presence is required, but not necessarily supersonic interception or the operation of expensive fighter jets.

The approach led by Israel Aerospace Industries relies on rich experience in converting civilian platforms for military purposes – such as the Westwind (Shavit) that was converted into a maritime intelligence aircraft, the Eitam and Oron models, which are advanced intelligence aircraft based on Gulfstream business jets, the Arava, as a dedicated light transport aircraft, and the Kfir, and the Nesher before it, which were based on the French Mirage 5 plans, that were refined, developed, and produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. Especially remembered is the daring, unsuccessful attempt to produce an advanced and independent Israeli fighter jet, the Lavi, whose development was halted by the US administration.

In addition, many Gulfstream business jets were manufactured, developed, and assembled in collaboration with the IAI. The cooperation focuses on the production of specific models like the G280, whose development and production are carried out by IAI, and other models produced in the past, such as the G100 (Astra), which were designed by the Israeli side. The IAI is also a world leader in converting passenger aircraft, such as the 777, into cargo planes.

Video: The OA-1K Skyraider II / Courtesy

The integration of advanced Israeli systems into the new aircraft, such as open mission interfaces, encrypted communication, electro-optical sensor pods, and a dedicated doctrine, turns the platform into a modern tool capable of integrating into the IDF's operational network and providing constant awareness, fast response, and precise operational capability along the borders. The Blue Sky Warden is not a replacement for fighter jets like the F-35 or for an escort force, but a flexible addition to the aerial mix. It allows field commanders to monitor patterns, direct interceptions, and respond to changing targets, all without straining expensive fighter jets or luxurious drones. In fact, it returns the routine missions that take the most significant resources of the Israeli Air Force to cheap and reliable platforms.

Similar platforms exist in the international arena – the AT-802 from Air Tractor, the Brazilian Super Tucano (Embraer), the US OV-10 Bronco, and the IOMAX Archangel – all demonstrating the trend of using light aircraft, sometimes agricultural, that have been converted for strike and reconnaissance missions. On the heavier side is the US A-10 Thunderbolt II, which illustrates the challenge in preserving dedicated strike platforms against advanced threats.

In the US, a debate has been ongoing for years whether to keep the A-10, the slow but deadly strike aircraft, in service, or to prefer a small, high-capability fleet. Behind this argument is a fundamental dilemma: How to balance cost, flexibility, and survivability in an era where advanced air defense systems threaten the operational freedom of fighter jets. The choice of the US Special Operations Command of the military version of the Sky Warden, called the OA-1K Skyraider II, is a clear response to that problem. Even when it is inefficient to send heavy and expensive aircraft on a mission, it is still possible to achieve intelligence control and limited strike capability using a simple and cheap platform.

In Israel, the need is similar, but more geographically focused: not strategic superiority thousands of kilometers (thousands of miles) away, but a reliable presence along the border fence. If the Blue Sky Warden succeeds in this mission, it may become a significant tool in the IDF's toolkit. It will not be a glittering air symbol like the F-35 Adir or the Ra'am F-15I, but a diligent worker that will prevent dozens of small crises and save expensive flight hours.

Alongside its advantages, the Blue Sky Warden also has clear limitations: It is vulnerable to modern air defense threats and is therefore effective mainly in sectors where the aerial risk is limited. Its success depends on meticulous mission planning, quality intelligence, and wise integration into the overall array, while maintaining a high cost-benefit ratio. The choice of this aircraft continues an Israeli tradition of adapting existing solutions to changing operational needs, and combines advanced engineering capabilities with simple operational logic aimed at improving Israel's security efficiently and significantly.

The post Israel's new plane: Hovers like a butterfly and stings like a bee appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Israel Aerospace Industries has unveiled its newest addition to its missile lineup: the Wind Demon,, an air-to-surface cruise missile designed to engage a variety of targets at long distances.

The weapon represents an advancement in IAI's missile technology, combining a lightweight structure with a range of over 124 miles and an electro-optical seeker. The Wind Demon's design focuses on survivability, accuracy, and effectiveness. IAI states that this new offering responds to the military market's need for cost-effective weaponry capable of long-range precision strikes.

The Wind Demon can be launched from various airborne platforms, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. It can engage both stationary and moving targets. The missile follows a pre-programmed mission profile, which eliminates the need for real-time operator control and reduces risk to the launch vehicle.

A notable feature of the Wind Demon is its ability to fly at low altitudes, which IAI says helps it avoid detection and interception. Operators can choose from different speed profiles, allowing for rapid responses or slower approaches to targets. This feature is intended to enhance surprise and evasion during missions.

The missile's electro-optical seeker includes thermal imaging for day and night operations. It also has laser-designation compatibility for target acquisition. The Wind Demon's integrated warhead weighs over 44 pounds.

Avi Elisha, manager of IAI's missile division, commented on the Wind Demon's development, "This missile builds on IAI's capabilities in missile technology. We're seeing increased demand for efficient systems that allow for prolonged combat. The Wind Demon addresses this need by offering multiple capabilities at a relatively low cost, allowing our customers to purchase the system in larger quantities and thus giving them the ability to sustain operations over extended periods."

IAI states that the Wind Demon is designed to meet customer needs for a reliable air-to-surface cruise missile with a low cost-per-hit ratio. The company positions the Wind Demon as an asset for military forces looking to enhance their long-range strike capabilities.

The post Wind Demon: Israel Aerospace Industries unveils latest missile appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

"Israel is working on space warfare capabilities," CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries Boaz Levy revealed in an interview with Israel Hayom on the occasion of the company's 70th anniversary.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

He said that the challenges developing around Israel, especially from Iran, are demanding, but that Israel currently possesses the ability to respond, and is busy with "always staying a step or two ahead."

The last few years have been very profitable for the aerospace industry in particular, and defense industries in general, as the outbreak of the Ukraine war created plenty of opportunities in the field. Western Europe is concerned about the possibility of a larger war, for the first time since World War II, which has led to a significant increase in defense budgets and the procurement of various weapons. According to Levy, the main lesson from the war is the need for integrated systems, so-called systems of systems.

"We can no longer look at individual systems, but one thorough system that gets a continuous picture from satellites in the sky, is based on artificial intelligence elements, which can process large amounts of information and knows how to synchronize defense and weapon systems."

Q: Let's break this down. What is the West mostly interested in now?

"First of all, in defense capabilities – from the way we detect the threat, i.e. different radars and satellites, to complex systems that do air defense such as the Arrow or Barak systems, which is both sea and land. With these systems, you can detect the threat with one radar, activate a battery in another place and release a missile from a third battery."

As part of the increased interest in defense systems, there have been intensive negotiations between the Israeli and German governments with regard to the procurement by Berlin of the Arrow 3 missile defense system at an estimated cost of three billion euros ($3.3 million). 

"We haven't signed yet," Levy said. "There is a triangle of decision makers here – in Germany, Israel, and the United States, because the Arrow system was developed in cooperation with the American Missile Defense Agency. The Arrow system is currently the leader in the world in intercepting ballistic missiles, and Arrow 3 allows interception deep in space, far beyond the atmosphere, so that any missile launched toward a threat area can be dealt with on several occasions.

"This is a system that was born out of an Israeli need to defend ourselves, and it partners with the Barak system – with missiles at ranges of 30, 70 and 150 kilometers, which allow the interception of various types of missiles, including ballistic ones, as well as airplanes, cruise missiles, and drones ".

These threats are relevant not only to Europe, given Russia's use of drones in Ukraine, but also to Israel, which is threatened by the same drones by Iran and its proxies in the region.

"We are in a ring of threat and constantly have to be one or two steps ahead of our enemies. We are constantly busy thinking ahead, which will allow us to stay ahead of the threats around us."

Q: Can you elaborate on Iran? 

"We understand the technological development on the other side, and it is mainly related to the ability to detect and intercept – the need to detect the threat, track it, project its trajectory, and choose the most appropriate point to intercept it. As I said, one system cannot do all of these, because it is a complex response that includes both interceptions outside and inside the atmosphere, and this requires radars of different wavelengths so that we can detect the threat and intercept it."

Q: How would you rate Iran's capabilities at this time? 

"This is an ongoing war, with missiles that have different capabilities, some of which are more successful and some less so, but the score is not bad, and our job is to take all their systems and know how to give them the required response. I think we are not in a bad place at all from what we see."

The space front 

Since the beginning of 2021, the IAI has launched two observation satellites into space: the EROS-C3 advanced observation satellite whose technologies enable high-resolution images and for the first time use of a multi-spectral camera, and Ofek 13, an observation satellite with advanced capabilities. 

"Both are now in space, passing over us every hour and a half and downloading images of unprecedented quality and accuracy for Israel."

Q: Can you explain this in layman's terms? 

"We are all used to pulling out our cell phones and taking photos of quality that is not bad. Now imagine that we pull out our cell phones at an altitude of 500 kilometers above us, and receive a picture of almost similar quality, one that allows us to distinguish significant details and know exactly what is happening."

Q: So much so that you can identify faces? 

"That's still a bit complicated, but I'm sure we'll get there." 

Interestingly, over a decade ago, the IAI was on the verge of going out of business. The prevailing thought was that satellites could be purchased abroad, saving on the major costs of development, launch, and maintenance. However, the information revolution and the need to maintain independence in the intelligence-operational field led to the opposite decision – to increase investment in satellites and to build and launch more satellites into space. 

According to Levy, Israel currently has sufficient coverage in terms of territory but needs more satellites for more continuous coverage, that is, to minimize the time gap between each passage of the satellite over a particular point. As part of these preparations, the Defense Ministry is promoting a space program that will include not only observation satellites but also communication satellites.

"The war in Ukraine has taught us that communication satellites – the ability to receive the broadcasts from the ground and return them – is critical, and is a strategic asset for Israel," he said. 

"I think the world knows that we have very good capabilities in this field, one of the best there is, in all aspects – both in resolution, in wavelength, at day and night time – and therefore there is a lot of interest in what we do."

Q: The world has once again turned its attention to space weapons. Is it something you are also involved in? 

"We are listening, of course, and also thinking about it. The innovation systems in the IAI operate in all areas, and we always try to be ahead of the others. We are studying this subject, and trying to understand how it would be possible to combine capabilities of this type most optimally. This is an area in which all the superpowers are investing, and if you ask me if I see it happening – then yes, I see it happening, but I don't know when it will happen."

Levy also spoke of the Lavi single-engined fourth-generation multirole jet fighter, the development of which caused controversy in Israel, due to the enormous associated costs, and was ultimately nixed by the government after decades of criticism. 

"When you have no choice, you do it," he said. "And when you have another choice – it is not economical to do it. But it is necessary to maintain the ability, and we are maintaining it. The IAI has the only production line in Israel for a jet, albeit a business one, but it is a jet that is fully designed and manufactured here."

Q: And should the need arise, will you also be able to create a jet fighter as well? 

"Assuming there's a need and there's a budget, we will know how to do all of it. We are in this field in all its aspects."

Levy, 61, holds a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical and Space Engineering, and a master's degree in Systems Engineering, both from the Technion in Haifa. He has worked in the aerospace industry since 1989, and most of the time oversaw the development of air and space defense systems and was a member of the founding team of the Arrow Program Directorate. He was appointed interim president of the IAI in November 2020, an appointment that became permanent last year. 

Like his counterparts in the other defense industries, Levy rarely gives interviews – a result of the inherent discretion in the field, the demands of the customers and the sensitivity involved.

His decision to be interviewed by Israel Hayom stems not only from the prosperous business period that the company is going through but also from the timing – the IAI's 70th anniversary which coincides with Israel's celebrations of its 75th Independence Day. 

"The history of the IAI is closely intertwined with the history of the state," Levy said. "It started as a need to provide care for the planes that arrived at the founding of the state. Equipment was brought here, and there was no one to care for the planes and restore them to serviceability, and that's how a factory was established from where today's IAI developed."

Since then, the company has always been there to cater to the state's needs.  

"In the 1960s, when Israel faced an operational problem, the IAI brought [the] Gabriel [skimming anti-ship missile], the first sea-to-sea missile of its kind. And when Israel faced an embargo on transport aircraft, the company invented the Arava [utility transport] aircraft.

"When there was an embargo on fighter jets, the Kfir [all-weather multirole combat aircraft ] and the Lavi were developed, and when there was a need to protect against ballistic missiles, the IAI developed the groundbreaking Arrow system. And there is also the UAV – a real need to bring intelligence with autonomous capabilities, which we already brought in in the 80s, and of course satellites – after we returned [the] Sinai [peninsula to Egypt in 1982 following the 1979 Peace Treaty] and required another eye in place of the returned territory, we brought this eye from space, and this is how the IAI was founded. There is no other company in the world that does all of it." 

Q: So how does Israel do it all? 

"We are a government defense manufacturer that can fulfill the needs of the country. You can talk to us about the most sensitive things and do the most complex operations with us. Our engineers are senior officers in the military, who sit in their units and identify the need or the operational gap, and then return to the factory and work on closing this gap, then return to as part of reserve duty in the units and operate the tools they have developed. This is a unique coming full circle, which connects us to our main customer, the Defense Ministry." 

Such work is being conducted with serious competition from international business rivals. Only about a quarter of the IAI's sales volume is in Israel, and the rest is abroad. According to Levy, technological advantage is the way to win. 

"We are a company of 15,000 employees, of whom 6,000 are engineers, of whom 2,000 have masters degrees and doctorates. They bring us solutions. As a government company, with the salaries set by the state and competition from outside, it is not an easy challenge to maintain this human capital."

The key to winning in this business competition, he said, is in adapting each system to the specific needs of the customer – from the development and production stage to operation and maintenance. In addition, the fact that many of the systems were procured by the IDF and have proven themselves operationally is a significant sales factor against competitors. And as mentioned above, the war in Ukraine, and the urgent need that arose for reliable combat systems, increased the demand to an unprecedented level. 

This was reflected in the IAI financial data as well, which previously fell upon harder times. 

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

"We had a few difficult years," Levy admitted. "The industry was rocky, and then the pandemic came, which leveled us all. But COVID was also an opportunity for us, because we showed our customers that we are reliable.

"We worked all over the world during the pandemic, we sent out shipments, we kept up with it. Customers told us that we were the only ones who delivered the products when they needed them, and I think this is part of the change that led to the good performance in the last two years."

In 2022, the IAI  broke a record with sales amounting to approximately $5 billion and new contracts amounting to $7.4 billion, which were added to a backlog of orders that currently stands at approximately $16 billion. 

"Our profitability has also increased and is the highest it has ever been, and we understand that only a company that is profitable will be able to sell worldwide." 

Q: Is privatization or IPO still on the agenda? 

"IAI enjoys the fact that it is a government company, and it will remain a government company forever. Even when we talk about an IPO, we are talking about a minority IPO, and the controlling stake will always remain with the state, because of the very special things we do for Israel's security. And yet, we look forward and strive for an IPO because there are things that need to be changed, such as employee wages or company procurement, which will allow us to be more flexible like other business companies in the market, and I assume that will change after the IPO."

Q: Do you have an idea as to when that will happen?

"There is approval from a ministerial committee from November 2020, and I assume that it will mature in the current government and we will launch a minority IPO. I don't know when exactly this will happen and to what extent, but it should happen in the next year or two so that the IAI will continue to grow as an international company, which will acquire companies abroad and conduct some of its activities there."

Q: Did the Abraham Accords help expand opportunities for the IAI?

"The accords opened our horizons in several aspects. First in regional cooperation, then in technological-business cooperation, and finally in cooperation in weapons systems. There are contacts, there are processes, the issue is under the leadership of the Defense Ministry, and we are doing everything to assist and promote it."

The post 'Israel is working on space warfare capabilities' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Defense Ministry together with Israel Aerospace Industries on Wednesday successfully launched the Ofek 13 satellite into space, the ministry's statement said.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Ofek 13 is an observation satellite with advanced capabilities. Once it enters the orbit, it will undergo a "series of tests to ensure its propriety and performance levels," the ministry said.

"The IMoD Space and Satellite Administration in the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) successfully launched the Ofek 13 satellite into space at 02:10 IST today [Wednesday]. The launch took place at a test site in central Israel using a Shavit launcher," the statement said.

The IMoD Space and Satellite Administration has led the development and production of the satellite and its launcher. The IDF's 9900 Intelligence Unit and the Israeli Air Force also participated in the development process. The launch engines were developed by Rafael Advanced Systems and Tomer, a government-owned company, the defense ministry statement added.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories! 

The post Israel launches Ofek 13 satellite into space appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Artificial intelligence-powered ground vehicles will gradually transform Israel's ground combat capabilities when faced with adversaries deeply embedded in urban settings. Such adversaries are currently difficult to detect and respond to in time.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

In October, the Defense Ministry announced that, following a two-year selection process, Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta had been chosen as the prime contractor for its Carmel future combat vehicle program.

Yoav Turgeman, CEO of Elta, told JNS that the arrival of ground vehicles powered by artificial intelligence and with autonomous capabilities will likely begin to gradually dominate land missions just as unmanned aerial vehicles have done in air forces across the world in recent years.

"IAI is going back to what it did 50 years ago when it demonstrated the UAV. Initially, it was very difficult for air forces to accept this. Today, UAVs are active in every modern air force and conduct more flight time than manned aircraft," he stated.

After air forces recognized the technological and operational advantages of UAVs, they began to increasingly incorporate them into growing numbers of missions.

"I think this will be the same with future armored vehicles. This is a breakthrough concept that the IDF is leading, alongside very few states in the West," he added.

In a statement last month, the Defense Ministry said that the Defense Research and Development Directorate had selected IAI-Elta to lead the Carmel program and that development would be conducted in cooperation with the IDF's Ground Forces and the Defense Ministry's Tank and Armored Personnel Carrier Directorate.

According to the ministry, the objective of the move is to "significantly improve maneuvering capabilities. The Carmel concept will be applied to current and future armored fighting vehicles and will include crew members in closed hatches, operating a range of autonomous and AI-driven platforms."

Turgeman said IAI-Elta planned for two onboard personnel to replace the traditional four-person tank crew, thanks to the ability of the onboard computer "brain" to take over many key missions. The onboard crew will be able to "see through" thick steel, thereby eliminating the need to place their heads out of the hatchets in hazardous combat zones.

"This creates good situational awareness," Turgeman said. "Our solution is made up of a system and a process that makes decision-making easier. The tank can drive itself off-road as well and can recalculate its routes while dealing with obstacles. It does not require a human to drive it."

The Athena computer system that controls the vehicle uses a range of sensors to locate the enemy, analyze its firearms, scan multiple lines of sights, and then use that data to influence routes and operational decision-making. That data also influences the kind of firepower the system advises be activated and whether to drive forward to take cover.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Athena presents all significant decision recommendations to a human operator for approval, said Turgeman. Ultimately, this enables the human operator to focus on the larger battle picture and ensure they are not distracted by technical matters, he explained. Instead of worrying whether their tank will hit a wall, where they are located on a map, or how to recalculate a route, the human operator can focus on managing the battle.

"Athena is a system that also receives data from external sensors; it plans courses of action from a variety of information," said Turgeman. It relies on AI and deep reasoning capabilities that IAI-Elta has been developing for years.

The Carmel model includes radars, advanced cameras, and systems that can detect the source of enemy fire. These sensors provide Athena with a continuous stream of data.

Asked if Carmel's technologies were currently being introduced into IDF systems, Turgeman said he would not "rule it out," but stressed that Carmel is more about capabilities than any individual single vehicle.

"These capabilities can go onto a number of platforms," he said.

Components of the Carmel future combat vehicle program will be integrated onto the Israel Defense Force's Eitan armored fighting vehicle, according to the Defense Ministry.

In an October statement, the Defense Ministry said that "many of the Carmel's capabilities will be autonomous, including travel, detection of threats, defense, and acquisition of targets. With its innovative user interface, soldiers in the vehicle will be able to view the battlefield in several dimensions. They will receive intelligence, detect threats, and acquire targets automatically, enabling them to effectively assess situations and make optimal decisions."

It noted: "The Carmel concept is groundbreaking on a global scale and has garnered the interest of many international industries and militaries."

"There are many interested parties, and we have received offers of cooperation from" major companies," Turgeman said. "We are examining these in coordination with the defense establishment."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

The post IDF's AI-powered ground vehicles set to transform urban combat appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Flagship observation satellites made by Israel Aerospace Industries have in recent days been on display at a key space-related conference held in Dubai – a development made possible by the 2020 Abraham Accords.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The International Astronautical Congress, which was held Oct. 25 to 29 in the United Arab Emirates, saw IAI present its OptSat3000 high-resolution satellite and the Tecsar radar observation satellite. The latter is able to use radar waves to collect intelligence during day or night in all weather conditions.

In September 2020, Israel launched the IAI-made Ofek 16 spy satellite, carrying a higher than ever resolution camera in space. Six years earlier, Israel launched its Ofek 10 radar spy satellite.

IAI led Israel's space exhibit at the Astronautical Congress, which took place this year after being canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Estie Rosen, IAI's head of media relations, told JNS that the company also exhibited a new mini-communication satellite concept and a cloud computing-based ground station for processing information from satellites.

The cloud-based ground station unveiled by IAI recently is designed to "enable maximum availability of satellite information," she said.

The company also showcased "Beresheet," the lunar lander that nearly brought Israel to the moon in 2019 before crashing into its surface at the last moment.

"The International Astronautical Congress is the most significant global space event," said Rosen. "It is held in a different location every year, and Israel has hosted it as well [in 2015]."

Rosen added that "due to the Abraham Accords, we can take part as IAI and bring Israeli personnel to this event. This is a moving development."

She noted that Israel launched Ofek 16 into space during the peak of the pandemic, achieving a successful launch of the advanced camera-carrying satellite. "It entered orbit quickly, and is used operationally by security forces, providing high-quality images," she stated.

Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate has control of the satellite. Rosen described IAI satellites as being at "the technological forefront in terms of the resolution they provide to the table of security forces."

In January 2020, IAI announced that it signed an agreement with the Israeli government for the development and construction of Israel's next communications satellite, Dror 1. The satellite will enable Israel to retain independent capabilities in the critical domain of space-based communications. Communications satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers.

'A smartphone in space'

Rosen said some countries don't need huge expensive communication satellites, adding that IAI has identified a niche market for lighter satellites, which are cheaper to launch and carry fewer beam antennas, while still retaining "elite, more affordable technology."

Communications satellites need to be highly agile, effectively acting as "a smartphone in space that can load applications from the ground to the satellite and conduct changes of missions," said Rosen, describing the company's design functions.

The company is also developing nanosatellites.

Indeed, she emphasized, it has invested hefty funds in satellite research and development.

In a statement, IAI said that "the field of space is a global growth engine that crosses technological, educational, business and political borders." It added that the Dubai space conference provided "IAI with the opportunity to build new relationships with local companies in the UAE and in the Gulf countries, and to develop new ventures with partners in the local defense industry, government agencies and academic institutions."

In October, the Israeli Space Agency and the UAE declared that they would cooperate on building the "Beresheet 2" lunar lander, scheduled for launch in 2024.

IAI held its first exhibit in Dubai at CyberTech in 2020. It will present at the Dubai Airshow this month, from Nov. 14. to Nov. 18.

"The UAE is a country with advanced space capabilities that are wide and scope. We can find common issues," said Rosen. "Space is important for both countries.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Astronautical Congress in Dubai makes space for Israeli satellites appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Israel Aerospace Industries will lead the Israeli Space Exhibit at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress to be held in Dubai from Oct. 25 to Oct. 29.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

In a statement on Monday, IAI said that as the only Israeli pavilion to present, it will exhibit "a range of cutting-edge space solutions," including two types of spy satellites; a new mini-communications satellite concept; and "Beresheet," Israel's lunar lander.

"The field of space is a global growth engine that crosses technological, educational, business and political borders," said the company. "IAI is leading Israel's space industry from development and manufacturing to launching satellites and launchers, to ground stations for satellite control and operation, among other complementary services."

The event, it continued, provides IAI with "the opportunity to build new relationships with local companies in the United Arab Emirates and in Gulf countries, and to develop new ventures with partners in the local defense industry, government agencies and academic institutions."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Following the Abraham Accords, IAI has entered business ventures in the UAE and other Gulf states, creating partnerships to promote the transfer of knowledge, advancement of investments, and development and commercialization of joint defense and civilian technologies.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

The post Israel to showcase space tech at International Astronautical Congress in Dubai appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Azerbaijani military is set to kick off a large military operation, Monday, with the participation of various forces and an emphasis on the many Israeli weapons in Baku's possession.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry will oversee the exercise, which will include 10,000 troops, around 100 tanks and armored vehicles, around 200 missiles and artillery shells, various missile systems, rockets, fighter jets, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A senior Azerbaijani Defense Ministry official told Israel Hayom troops would be using the Plasan Sand Cat, Tamuz model Spike anti-tank missiles, Israel Aerospace Industries' semi-active laser homing guided low-weight anti-tank guided Lahat missile, as well as Elbit's 120 mm SPEAR mortar system, among others.

The senior Azerbaijani official added the military would use Israeli UAVs, including the state-of-the-art IAI Heron and IAI Harop drones and Elbit's Hermes drone in the exercise, which is set to conclude Thursday.

While the Azerbaijanis defeated the Armenians in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, they are looking to improve their abilities.

The exercise will be held in a mountainous and wooded region and will examine rapid organization for combat and coordination between various military units, in particular.

According to Aryeh Gut, an expert on Israel-Azerbaijan ties and the executive director of the Azerbaijan House in Israel "The Armenians can be jealous, carry out provocations, and disseminate baseless information, but it's now historical fact that Israeli security firms actively cooperated and continue to cooperate on the construction of the Azerbaijani military system."

He said, "Israel was really genuinely happy about the victory of an important geostrategic and geopolitical partner in the South Caucus."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Major Azeri military exercise to highlight Israeli weaponry appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Slovak government has approved the purchase of 17 radar systems produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Defense Ministry announced on Thursday.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The deal, worth some $182 million, will include technology transfer from Israel to Slovakia, as well as industrial cooperation between the two countries, and is being led by the ministry's International Defense Cooperation Directorate. The radar components will be manufactured in collaboration with defense industries in Slovakia under the professional guidance of IAI and the ministry.

The flagship Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary ELTA systems is combat-proven with extensive operational experience in Israel and around the world. The radar detects and classifies airborne threats, calculates the threat level and provides essential data that enables systems to neutralize multiple threats simultaneously.

The systems will be interoperable with NATO defense mechanisms, with similar systems having been incorporated into the command-and-control systems of additional countries in the NATO alliance in recent years.

According to ELTA CEO Yoav Turgeman, approximately 130 MMRs have been delivered to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, and are already operational in the United States, Canada and Israel.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

"I congratulate the employees of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and IAI on another significant achievement, which reflects the excellent capabilities of Israel's defense industry, as well as Israel's strengthening relations and cooperation with NATO countries," said Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

Such technology and procurement agreements "are part of the security concept of the State of Israel and particularly important for Israeli resilience at this time, due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

The post Israel, Slovakia to sign $180 million defense export agreement appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

 Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter 

The satellite's systems were put into operation gradually and under close supervision.

Video: Defense Ministry Spokesperson Department

In the next few weeks, the engineering teams will continue checking the satellite and preparing it for use in operations, according to a protocol that was established prior to the launch. 

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Ofek 16 spy satellite transmits first images from orbit appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.