26 nov 2012
Israel test-fires ‘Magic Wand’ missile shield after Iron Dome failure
A model of the interceptor missile used by the Magic Wand system
The Israeli regime has completed the first round of tests on a new missile shield system following a failure of its Iron Dome to intercept hundreds of rockets and missiles fired from the Gaza Strip.
The testing was reportedly conducted in Negev Desert on Monday.
The interceptor missile system, which is called the “Magic Wand” or “David’s Sling,” is being co-developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American Raytheon Company.
The system is designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets and cruise missiles, as well as long-range rockets from a distance of at least 70 km. It is scheduled to become operational in 2014.
The Iron Dome missile shield only intercepted about 420 out of some 1,500 retaliatory rockets fired by the Palestinian resistance fighters into the Israeli cities during the recent Israeli onslaught on Gaza.
The landing of Hamas rockets in Israeli cities, which killed at least five Israelis, has raised serious questions on how the Israeli regime would protect itself in case of other retaliatory strikes.
An Egypt-mediated ceasefire agreement on November 21 ended eight days of Israeli attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip that killed more than 160 Palestinians and injured about 1,200 others.
The Israeli regime developed the Iron Dome with a 200-million-dollar fund from the United States. Washington plans to give Tel Aviv another $600 million for additional batteries and replacement missiles.
Tel Aviv is also working with the giant American aerospace corporation, Boeing, on another missile shield known as Arrow 3, designed to intercept missiles that can travel hundreds, even thousands of miles.
Israel will buy 30 Italian military training jets
(3:38) Aermacchi M346 First Flight
Israeli Defense Ministry has reached a deal with an Italian company to purchase 30 military training jets with the value of one billion dollars.
Israel announced that it would buy the M-346, made by the Alenia Aermacchi and designed for low-cost flights.
Italy will reciprocate the Israeli purchase by buying one billion dollars in Israeli defense equipment.
Israeli Defense Ministry’s director general, Udi Shani, said the offset deal enabled Israel to make the large purchase in a "harsh budgetary reality."
The deal only has initial approval and needs official authorization from Israel’s Minister of Military Affairs Ehud Barak.
Israeli officials said they expect the agreement to get the final green light, and the planes to be delivered in 2014.
Israeli possesses a sophisticated air force of US-made F-15 and F-16 warplanes.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/227317.html
Israel test-fires ‘Magic Wand’ missile shield after Iron Dome failure
A model of the interceptor missile used by the Magic Wand system
The Israeli regime has completed the first round of tests on a new missile shield system following a failure of its Iron Dome to intercept hundreds of rockets and missiles fired from the Gaza Strip.
The testing was reportedly conducted in Negev Desert on Monday.
The interceptor missile system, which is called the “Magic Wand” or “David’s Sling,” is being co-developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American Raytheon Company.
The system is designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets and cruise missiles, as well as long-range rockets from a distance of at least 70 km. It is scheduled to become operational in 2014.
The Iron Dome missile shield only intercepted about 420 out of some 1,500 retaliatory rockets fired by the Palestinian resistance fighters into the Israeli cities during the recent Israeli onslaught on Gaza.
The landing of Hamas rockets in Israeli cities, which killed at least five Israelis, has raised serious questions on how the Israeli regime would protect itself in case of other retaliatory strikes.
An Egypt-mediated ceasefire agreement on November 21 ended eight days of Israeli attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip that killed more than 160 Palestinians and injured about 1,200 others.
The Israeli regime developed the Iron Dome with a 200-million-dollar fund from the United States. Washington plans to give Tel Aviv another $600 million for additional batteries and replacement missiles.
Tel Aviv is also working with the giant American aerospace corporation, Boeing, on another missile shield known as Arrow 3, designed to intercept missiles that can travel hundreds, even thousands of miles.
- 26 febr 2012
'Israel, Azerbaijan set to sign 1.6-billion-dollar arms deal'
Israeli military officials say the Tel Aviv regime plans to sign a major arms deal worth USD 1.6 billion with Azerbaijan.
The officials said on Sunday Israel Aerospace Industries will sell “drones, anti-aircraft and missile defense systems worth USD 1.6 billion” to Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Israeli media said Angolan Finance Minister Carlos Alberto Lopes has traveled to Israel to sign a military agreement.
Reports say the Israeli-Angolan deal is worth about USD one billion.
The latest report on the Israeli military agreements comes a couple of days after Israeli officials said on February 16 the Tel Aviv regime had reached a “USD-one-billion preliminary” agreement with Italy to buy 30 Italian military training jets.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228734.html 20 mar 2012, 22:40 , Respect -
Maria 27 febr 2012
‘US armed Israel for Iran attack’
A New York Times article says the US has armed Israel in case the regime decides to launch an attack against Iran
The United States has provided Israel with the military technology and arms to aid Tel Aviv in a possible attack against Iran nuclear facilities, a prominent American journalist says.
“Arm the Syrian rebels! And, while we’re at it, give the Israelis the tools they need - bunker-busters, refueling aircraft - so that if they decide to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, they’ll get it right the first time,” David Sanger wrote in The New York Times.
The article says although “the White House has been deliberately vague on what kind of technology it has shared with the Israelis,” it has been aimed at sabotaging Iran’s nuclear energy program which the West claims contains a covert military dimension by using “bombs, sanctions or covert action.”
Sanger says from the perspective of many US politicians, “Syria and Iran are hardly unrelated problems,” as nothing would undermine Iran’s influence in the region more than the overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.
According to the article, this approach stems from the fact that Americans are fed up with their government's warmongering around the globe and also from the White House talks of “nation-building at home.”
“There is something tempting about handing off weaponry to the rebels and the Israelis, wishing them good luck and reminding them to drop a line back to the White House if any of it works,” Sanger says.
Israeli officials have recently ramped up their war rhetoric, threatening Iran with military strikes in case the US-engineered sanctions against the country fail to force Tehran into abandoning its civilian nuclear energy program.
The United States, Israel and some of their allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear energy program, using this pretext to impose sanctions against Iran and threaten the country with military attack.
This is while the International Atomic Energy Agency has never found any evidence indicating that Tehran's nuclear energy program has been diverted towards nuclear weapons production.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/228892.html 20 mar 2012, 23:48 , Respect -
Maria 2 mrt 2012
The Israeli regime to test-fire advanced anti-missile system
Israel’s Arrow missile system
Israel will test-fire for the first time an advanced anti-missile system developed in cooperation with the United States to bring down ballistic missiles in space.
"The first test of the advanced Arrow 3 weapon system will be performed in the near future, confirming the interceptor missile's effectiveness," Itzhak Kaya, Head of Arrow Missile Program in Israel Aerospace Industries, announced in a statement on Thursday.
According to Kaya, Arrow 3 which is the improved model of the Arrow missile system upgraded by "Green Pine" radar system, “is more capable than ever to deal with future threats.”
“The preliminary test of the system which was conducted a few weeks ago was successful. The Arrow weapon system demonstrated improved identification of attacking missiles, ensuring successful target interception with high levels of certainty,” he said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Israeli official said that during the test, a missile will be fired into space from Palmachim base south of Tel Aviv. The test will be conducted after Monday's meeting between US President Barak Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
The official confirmed that the test is aimed at limiting the risk of confrontation with Iran.
Israeli officials have recently ramped up their war rhetoric, threatening Iran with military strikes.
The United States, Israel and some of their allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear energy program, using this pretext to impose sanctions against Iran and threaten the country with military attacks.
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says Iran will teach Israel a good lesson if the entity tries to attack the Islamic Republic.
“The enemy must answer this question, if it attacks Iran, for how long a battle and losing how many of its warships and vessels has it prepared itself?”
“Why is the Zionist regime making threats (against Iran)? How many missiles have they prepared themselves for? 10,000? 20,000? 50,000? 100,000? 150,000 or more?" the Iranian defense minister has asked.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/229531.html 26 mar 2012, 22:01 , Respect -
Maria 20 mrt 2012
Germany sells sub to Israel but warns on attacking Iran
BERLIN (Reuters) -- Germany said on Tuesday it will sell Israel a sixth military submarine and shoulder part of the cost, although it warned its ally that any military escalation with Iran could bring incalculable risks.
German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said he shared Israel's fear of a nuclear-armed Iran and he was convinced Tehran aimed to make nuclear weapons, but he called for caution.
"I recommend all sides show urgent restraint, both in their rhetoric and their action. A military escalation would bring incalculable risks for Israel and the region, to the detriment of Israel," he told reporters at a press conference in Berlin with his Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak.
Barak by contrast said all options regarding Iran should remain on the table, apart from containment. "To accept a nuclear Iran would be inconceivable and unacceptable to the whole world," he said.
Germany, which after the Holocaust is absolutely committed to Israel's security, has championed international diplomatic campaigns to rein in Tehran. But Berlin has also criticized Israel's settlement-building program.
"Israel can be sure of German solidarity in questions of its sovereign integrity and its existence ... but it is important that Israel and its partners make moves towards a solution of the Middle East conflict," de Maiziere said.
Dolphin submarines
Israel operates three German-built Dolphin submarines, manufactured by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, a unit of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, and expects delivery of two more shortly. The vessels are considered a vanguard against foes like Iran.
Israel is threatening to take military action, with or without U.S. support, if Iran is deemed to be continuing to defy pressure to curb its nuclear projects. Iran insists its nuclear energy program is purely non-military.
The Dolphins are small, diesel-powered submarines, designed for coastal patrols and equipped with 10 torpedo tubes.
Israel is widely assumed to have the Middle East's only nuclear weapons, which it neither confirms nor denies. These could be onboard the Dolphins.
Israel's purchase of a sixth submarine had been widely expected, although discussions over the degree of Germany's contribution drew out the process.
"A further boat will be delivered to Israel and there will be financial help. It is part of the budget and is therefore a public action," de Maiziere said.
Germany's state budget for 2012 foresees spending of 135 million euros for "defense systems for Israel", 70 million euros of which will fall this year.
Germany delivered the first three submarines between 1999-2000, two of which it paid for outright. In 2005 Germany struck a deal with Israel on another two submarines, this time paying a contribution of 333 million euros for both, amounting to about a third of the cost.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=469774 28 mar 2012, 09:54 , Respect -
Maria 28 mrt 2012
US to seek more funds for Israel's 'Iron Dome'
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The US Defense Department on Tuesday said it would ask Congress to fund additional "Iron Dome" short-range missile shields for Israel, given their success in intercepting rockets launched from Gaza earlier this month.
The request comes against the backdrop of growing concern in Washington about a possible Israeli strike against Iran aimed at halting or slowing work on its nuclear program, as well as the worst flare-up of violence along Israel's southern border in months.
Washington underwrote the development cost of the Iron Dome rocket and mortar shield by Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
The US Congress approved $205 million in funding for the project in fiscal year 2011, which ended on Sept. 30, and the Obama administration plans to ask for additional funding this year.
The system was developed by Rafael to counter rocket fire from Lebanon, which hit Israeli towns during the 2006 war with Hezbollah, and from Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas, which the United States and Israel consider a terrorist group, took control in 2007.
The Obama administration has argued against military strikes on Iran for now, saying there is still time for diplomacy to curb its nuclear program, which Iran says is for peaceful purposes.
At the same time, President Barack Obama is eager to show support for Israel, particularly in an election year. Obama won nearly eight of every 10 Jewish votes in 2008 but a slip could jeopardize his 2012 re-election drive in states like Florida and Pennsylvania, where Jews are an important swing bloc.
Top priority
Pentagon spokesman George Little said supporting Israel's security was a top priority of Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
"During the rocket attacks earlier this month, the Iron Dome system played a critical role in Israel's security," Little said in a statement. "When nearly 300 rockets and mortars were fired at southern Israel, Iron Dome intercepted over 80 percent of the targets it engaged, saving many civilian lives."
He said Pentagon officials had been in talks with the government of Israel about US support for procurement of additional Iron Dome systems, and Washington planned to request "an appropriate level of funding" for further acquisitions, depending on Israeli requirements and production capacity.
Little gave no details on how much money would be requested for the program.
Each truck-towed unit fires radar-guided missiles to blow up short-range rockets, notably of the Russian Katyusha type, as well as mortar bombs, in mid-air.
Industrial sources put the base price of each battery at about $50 million. Each interception costs at least $25,000.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who discussed military equipment needs with Obama during a visit to Washington in early March, has said 10 to 15 batteries would be needed to provide full cover.
Israel has also asked the United States for advanced "bunker-buster" bombs and refueling planes that could improve its ability to attack Iran's underground nuclear sites, an Israeli official said Thursday.
The US army was reported last year to be interested in buying the Iron Dome system to protect bases overseas. India and Singapore have also expressed interest as potential buyers.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=471822 12 apr 2012, 07:43 , Respect -
Maria 4 apr 2012
Israel asks US for $700 million in military aid
Jerusalem requests Washington to allocate funds for more Iron Dome, Magic Wand anti-missile batteries. Deal will provide Israel with near-complete missile defense until 2015.
Israel asks US for $700 million in military aid
Jerusalem requests Washington to allocate funds for more Iron Dome, Magic Wand anti-missile batteries. Deal will provide Israel with near-complete missile defense until 2015
Israel has asked the United States for assistance estimated at $700 million in order to produce more Iron Dome and Magic Wand missile and rocket defense batteries, sources told Ynet on Wednesday.
The Iron Dome is designed to intercept rockets fired from a relatively short range, while the Magic Wand intercepts missiles fired from a range of at least 70km, including cruise missiles and missiles with ballistic warheads such as the Squd, Shihab and Sejil.
According to sources privy to the deal, Jerusalem and Washington are currently discussing the aid package, which if approved will allow Israel to equip its defense apparatus with four additional Iron Dome batteries and accelerate the completion of the Magic Wand system, which is still under development.
The sources also noted that if the deal is approved, Israel will be able it to protect its territory from rocket and missile attacks until 2015. The US Congress and administration's apparent willingness to allocate the funds may be seen as an attempt to incentivize Israel to delay its decision vis-à-vis a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to estimates, Israel will have six Iron Dome batteries instead of the four it currently has by the second half of 2013.
22 apr 2012, 08:42 , Respect -
Maria 21 apr 2012
USA to allocate $680m for Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile system
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The USA is to allocate 680 million dollars to boost the Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile system, a Congressional aide said.
The Republican-controlled Armed Services Committee plans millions more for the system designed to intercept short-range rockets and mortars, according to the congressional aide.
The money would be in addition to the $205 million that the Obama administration and Congress agreed to in a special request in the 2011 budget and would cover several years, through fiscal 2015.
20 may 2012, 01:36 , Respect -
Maria 18 mei 2012
Washington grants Israel an extra US$ 70 million for the iron dome
NAZARETH, (PIC)-- The United States agreed to provide an extra US$70 million to the Israeli occupation to develop its anti-rocket defence system for short range rockets, known as the iron dome.
According to the Israeli Hayom newspaper "Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in Washington on Thursday and discussed, among other things, funding for additional Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system batteries. Panetta told Barak that U.S. President Barack Obama has authorized the transfer of $70 million to Israel for that purpose before the year's end.”
"My goal is to ensure Israel has the funding it needs each year to produce these batteries that can protect its citizens," Panetta said. "That is why going forward over the next three years, we intend to request additional funding for Iron Dome, based on an annual assessment of Israeli security requirements against an evolving threat."
According the paper, the US has already provided US$205 million for this project on top of an annual military assistance at the rate of US$3.1 billion.
6 jun 2012, 16:07 , Respect -
Maria 6 juni 2012
Netanyahu thanks Germany for nuclear-armed submarine sale
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised and thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her commitment to Israel’s security by the recent sale to Tel Aviv of a submarine that is capable of being armed with atomic warheads.
“I take her commitment to Israel very seriously,” said Netanyahu in an exclusive interview with German Bild newspaper on Tuesday. “There is a commitment to Israel’s security that is exemplified by the recent sale of another German submarine, an important adjunct to our national security.”
Asked whether there could be a scenario in which German troops would fight for the Israeli regime, Netanyahu replied, “While I appreciate Germany’s concern for Israel’s security, the most important assistance that can be given to Israel is - to paraphrase Churchill -- to give us the tools and we will do the job of defending ourselves.”
The Israeli premiere went on to reiterate that the sale of the nuclear-capable German submarines to the regime was “very important” for defending Israel’s security.
Although the German newspaper did not mention the capability of the submarine, prominent German news magazine Der Speigel revealed in a report a couple of days earlier that the Israeli regime “is arming the submarines with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.” The magazine further noted that the German government “has known about Israel’s nuclear weapons program for decades, despite its official denials.”
According to Spiegel, a German shipyard in the northern city of Kiel has already built three Dolphin submarines for Israel, which has been largely paid for by the German government and delivered to Tel Aviv, and deliveries of three more are planned.
The Tel Aviv regime is widely believed to possess hundreds of nuclear warheads. Israel neither denies nor confirms its possession of the atomic arms under its policy of nuclear ambiguity. The regime, furthermore, has never allowed any international inspection of its nuclear sites and persistently refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
4 juni 2012
Der Spiegel: Israel arms German submarines with nukes
BERLIN, (PIC)-- The German magazine Der Spiegel said on Sunday that Israel might have outfitted German submarines delivered to it in 1991 with nuclear missiles and plans to do so with other batch of submarines.
Der Spiegel quoted former high-ranking German defense officials as saying they had always assumed Israel would fit the German-built "Dolphin-class" submarines with nuclear weapons.
The social democratic party, the largest opposition party, asked for clarifications from the government of Angela Merkel in this regard.
Spokesman for the party Rolf mutzenich told Der Spiegel that the federal government of Germany has to provide information for its people so they can know if the submarines can be armed with systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
For his part, spokesman for Merkel Stephen Siebert said the submarines are delivered unarmed and the government could not speculate if they would be armed later by Israel.
Germany had handed over three of these Dolphin submarines to Israel and intends to manufacture three others more advanced than the earlier ones and they are slated for delivery by 2017.
Germany has largely financed this submarine deal and most of the vessels are for free, according to the newspaper.
11 jun 2012, 21:38 , Respect -
Maria 27 juni 2012
US, Israel main violators of Chemical Weapons Convention: Vahidi
Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi
Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says the US and the Israeli regime violate the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), urging the complete annihilation of such weapons in the world.
“As the main possessor of chemical weapons, the United States of America, which is itself a member state of the Chemical Weapons Convention, has blatantly violated the CWC by not implementing it,” Vahidi said in a message on the occasion of national day of fighting against chemical weapons on Wednesday.
Undoubtedly, the chemical weapon arsenals of countries which stockpile such weapons are a threat to international peace and security and increase fears about the use or threats to use chemical weapons in the world, ISNA quoted him as saying.
The Israeli regime raises concern about the expansion of chemical weapons by its refusal to permit international organizations to inspect its chemical facilities, he pointed out.
Vahidi stated that the Islamic Republic is the biggest victim of chemical weapons, a gift to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's regime by the Western powers.
During the Iraq-Iran war, the US supplied Saddam with chemical weapons. The former Iraqi dictator used 2,500 tons of chemical weapons against five Iranian border provinces.
Saddam was never tried for war crimes or use of chemical weapons against Iranians. According to experts, chemical weapons can show their full effect almost 25 years later.
Vahidi said Iran seriously calls on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to make efforts in order to achieve the CWC’s final objectives, including the elimination of all chemical weapons in the world.
The Iranian minister also urged the United Nations to take steps towards the establishment of a world free of weapons of mass destruction including the chemical weapons.
He expressed hope that the international community would do its utmost to implement the CWC so that “we witness a world free of chemical weapons and terrorism in the near future.”
30 jun 2012, 06:37 , Respect -
Maria 30 juni 2012
US acts as client state to Israel
(4:14) US acts as client state to Israel - Press TV News
The Defense Policy Advisory Group has met in Tel Aviv this week to discuss US support for an Israeli multi-layered missile system, UPI reports.
US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, James Miller and top Israeli Defense Ministry officials including Director General Udi Shani and Head of the Diplomatic-Security Bureau, Amos Gilad, attended the meeting.
Israel, which is the top recipient of US military aid, wants to ensure that the US regularly budgets for the missile systems that the Israeli regime plans to purchase during the next years.
Press TV has interviewed Mark Glenn, Crescent and Cross Solidarity Movement, Idaho about the implications of the US gifting their Iron Dome Missile system to Israel while the US economy is in a depressive state and in the geo-political context of it as a heightened threat to the region and beyond. What follows is an approximate transcript of the interview.
Press TV: The US is undergoing its own financial crisis and allocating millions of dollars for the Israeli Iron dome project as well as other missile defense systems, is that something the US can even afford right now?
Glenn: Well, of course not, but that’s immaterial. When it comes to Israel all that matters is Israel and I think that we can all just dispense with the illusion that the United States is an independent sovereign country that is able to make decisions that are in her own best interest. Clearly the relationship that we have with Israel is proof to the contrary of that.
And just this one item alone is dealing with our economy in the fact that we cannot afford to dispense with another billion dollars for a country that is posting continuous quarters of economic growth and I’m talking about Israel here… that alone is proof of the notion that the US isn’t looking out for her own best interests, but rather that the US is just a client state of Israel and it’s basically here to do Israel’s bidding for her.
Press TV: 275 million dollars for the Iron Dome project. How much of this has to do with appeasing the Zionist lobby in America because it is an election and Obama needs to please the right people now, doesn’t he?
Glenn: Well, of course that plays into it, but we also have to look at the other aspect of this, which is that you have many very powerful members of the House and the Senate as well as numbers of US armed services who are stockholders in these various companies who are going to be profiting off of all the research and development, even the giving of this Iron Dome system to Israel.
So, there are vested interests here besides appeasing the Zionist lobby, but as the Iraq war, as the Afghanistan war, as the destruction of Libya and as we are seeing today with the destruction of Syria… when Israel makes demands, the US follows suit accordingly and so we have to view this latest development regarding yet even more expenditures leaving the US in favor of Israel as being one more manifestation of that situation.
Press TV: Though many officials both from the US and Israeli sides argue that the missile systems are of a defensive nature. Experts argue otherwise saying that they do have offensive capabilities specifically in light of keeping a technological edge for Israel within the region.
But isn’t pouring in millions or billions of dollars, as you’ve just mentioned, into Israel’s missile systems creating a more dangerous atmosphere for an already volatile region?
Glenn: Well, not just for the region, but for the entire world. What we have here is the proverbial marriage made in hell. You have the US with all of its military and economic largesse and then you have Israel, which is the only country in the history of the world that has threatened to kill every human being on the planet if it looks like her precious experiment in Jewish self-rule in the Middle East is going to fail.
"So, it’s not just the region that is in danger because of this very dangerous marriage that exists between the US and Israel, it’s the entire world. At this point you have the US engaging in very dangerous operations in Syria knowing that Syria is very close to a nuclear armed country, Russia."
And so this has implications that go far beyond simply the Middle East; it could literally attract every human being on the planet and to be honest it will be a miracle if doesn’t.
Israel, US hold talks on developing Israeli missile systems
Israel’s Iron Dome missile system
Washington and Tel-Aviv have discussed the development of the Israeli missile systems.
Officials from the Defense Policy Advisory Group met in Tel Aviv this week to discuss the US support for an Israeli multi-layered missile system as well as other regional developments, UPI reported on Friday.
US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy James Miller and top Israeli Defense Ministry officials, including director-general Udi Shani and the head of the Diplomatic-Security Bureau, Amos Gilad, attended the meeting.
Israel wants to ensure that the US regularly budgets for the missile systems that the Israeli regime plans to purchase during the next years.
In recent months, the Obama administration has granted Israel financial aid to help it purchase more batteries for the Iron Dome missile system.
The US Congress also approved an aid package of about $1 billion to improve the Israeli missile systems.
This comes as the US government has been forced to make major cuts in its own military spending on account of its dire financial situation.
The contribution to the Israeli missile system, sourced from US taxpayer money, is in addition to the approximately $3 billion, which Washington grants Tel Aviv annually.
Israel is the top recipient of US military aid.
28 jul 2012, 17:52 , Respect -
Maria 28 juli 2012
Obama signs $70 million Israel military aid bill
US President Barack Obama signs the US-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act in the Oval Office on July 27, 2012
US President Barack Obama has signed a piece of legislation ratified by Congress that gives Israel another $70 million in military assistance, on top of the $3 billion the United States had already pledged to provide to the Israeli military this year.
On Friday, Obama signed the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, which provides more US taxpayer dollars to help Israel expand its Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system, Xinhua reported.
The Iron Dome is a short-range rocket defense system designed to intercept rockets and artillery shells fired from a range of between four and 70 kilometers.
Representatives of the pro-Israeli lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and Israeli journalists were invited to the signing ceremony, which was held at the White House.
“I have made it a top priority for my administration to deepen cooperation with Israel across the whole spectrum of security issues -- intelligence, military, technology,” Obama said before signing the bill in the Oval Office.
“And, in many ways, what this legislation does is bring together all the outstanding cooperation that we have seen, really, at an unprecedented level between our two countries that underscores our unshakeable commitment to Israel security,” he added.
According to a White House fact sheet published on Friday, Obama said that “despite tough fiscal times” he “fought for and secured full funding for Israel” in fiscal year 2012, including $3 billion in Foreign Military Financing.
The fact sheet also said that Obama secured an additional $205 million in 2011 to set up the Iron Dome system.
13 aug 2012, 14:10 , Respect -
Maria 13 aug 2012
Israeli military buys 2,000 Hummer vehicles from US Army
The Israeli military has purchased 2,000 used Hummer vehicles from the US Army, a deal which -- according to military officials -- will significantly expand the Ground Forces' fleet of combat vehicles.
The vehicles are currently stored in US bases throughout the region and were sold to Israel at a fraction of the original cost. They will be delivered in installments over the next three years.
The military says it will carry out repairs on the Hummers before taking them to Israel. It says once the Hummers arrive there, they will be further outfitted for specific operational needs.
"The new vehicles, which will expand our fleet, will significantly improve our maneuvering ability during an emergency," said Major Amit Trep, head of the Department of Weapons Mobility, adding, "This will be a giant leap forward."
A senior military officer has recently said that Israel is also mulling the purchase of other used military gears, such as trucks, and tents from the US Army.
28 aug 2012, 08:02 , Respect -
Maria 28 aug 2012
U.S. tripled weapons sales in 2011 to counter Iran's threats, study shows
An F-15 fighter aircraft flies over the Grand Canyon en route to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, February 7, 2008.
Study says U.S. worked out policy goal with Arab allies in the Gulf to build a regional missile defense system to protect cities, oil refineries, pipelines and military bases from possible Iranian military attack.
The United States tripled weapons exports last year, mostly to allies in the Middle East in a major drive to counter Iran's ambitions in the region, a new study for the U.S. Congress said Monday.
The study by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service, a division of the Library of Congress, said U.S. weapons exports totaled $66.3 billion in 2011, out of a global weapons market of $85.3 billion.
By contrast, Russia's arms exports stood at a distant second at $4.8 billion in the same year.
The study said the 2011 figures for U.S. arms exports constituted an "extraordinary increase" in just one year over the $21.4 billion in 2010 sales. The U.S. exported weapons worth $31 billion in 2009.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman were major buyers of U.S. weapons at record levels last year, the study said.
Four United States Army Chinook helicopters are parked on the tarmac at Kandahar Air Field in southern Afghanistan May 28, 2012.
In addition, the U.S. had worked out a policy goal with Arab allies in the Gulf to build a regional missile defense system to protect cities, oil refineries, pipelines and military bases from possible Iranian military attack.
In agreements with the U.S. worth 33.4 billion dollars last year, Saudi Arabia agreed to buy 84 advanced F-15 fighters, ammunition, missiles and logistics support and pay for upgrading 70 of the F-15s. The U.S. also sold military equipment that included dozens of Apache and Black Hawk helicopters to the Saudis.
The UAE purchased a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and an advanced antimissile shield, which includes radars, which were valued at $3.49 billion, as well as 16 Chinook helicopters for $939 million.
Oman bought 18 F-16 fighters for $1.4 billion, the study said.
...Read more 13 sep 2012, 10:10 , Respect -
Maria 13 sept 2012
Upon Israel’s Request, Germany To Void Submarines Deal With Egypt
Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, personally vowed to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to void a submarines deal its country signed with Egypt, and said that her government will not approve this deal with the Egyptian Army, the German “Der Spiegel” reported.
Der Spiegel said that the German government granted a green light to this deal last February, and then Israel was informed on details of the deal as Merkel personally spokes to Netanyahu while German Defense Minister, Thomas de Maziere, kept in touch with his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Barak, to update him on latest information.
Der Spiegel said that, at first, Israel did not express any reservations about the deal, but senior German political leaders were surprised to hear serious statements made by Israeli officials, who expressed their objection to the deal, after the Egyptian navy announced it.
The deal will likely now be presented to the special German Ministerial Council as the legal body in charge of weapons deal, in order to reconsider it, while several German officials said that the deal will be voided due to Israeli objections.
Furthermore, Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that the government of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has demanded Berlin not to sign any weapons deal with Arab countries without prior consultation and coordination with Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Government said that such coordination with Tel Aviv, prior to any weapons deal with the Arab states, is essential to ensuring Israel’s military supremacy in the Middle East.
It is worth mentioning that Germany recently signed several agreements for the sale of tanks and submarines to Egypt, Algeria, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Haaretz reported that Israel wants to reach new understandings with Germany regarding the sale of weapons to Arab states in order to ensure that the Israeli Army remains the most powerful army in the region.
The deals Israel signed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar include the sale of Leopard Tanks, submarines to Egypt and other military equipment to Algeria.
It is worth mentioning that the Israeli Defense Ministry Diplomatic and Security Bureau Head, Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilad, recently visited Berlin and asked Germany to coordinate with Tel Aviv all of its weapons sales with all Arab states.
Israel said that Germany’s weapons sales to the Arab world have increased last year, and that several deals regarding the sales of tanks and submarines were singed.
Both Israel and the United States want to ensure that armies in Arab countries do not obtain weapons and technology that could pose a risk to the supremacy of the Israeli military, as they want Israel to remain, at all times, the most powerful military state in the region.
Also, a senior Israeli official told the Bild German Newspaper, Wednesday, that Israel is seriously concerned about the sale of the submarines to Egypt, and added that “Egypt today is not the same as Egypt during the rule of former President, Hosni Mubarak”.
The official was referring to the fact that that after the Egyptian revolution managed to overturn the rule of Mubarak, the Muslim Brotherhood garnered an overwhelming victory in the legislative elections, and due to the fact that the newly elected Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi, is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Yet, several Israeli security and political leaders recently stated that the security coordination between Tel Aviv and Cairo is now at its best since the signing of the Camp David peace accords between the two countries in 1978 and 1979.
16 febr 2012
Israel to buy Italian military training jets
(3:38) Aermacchi M346 First Flight
Jerusalem says will purchase 30 M-346 planes, which will replace American Skyhawks; Italy to reciprocate by buying $1 billion in Israeli defense equipment; South Korea complained about lack of transparency in tender.
Israel has reached a $1 billion preliminary deal to buy 30 Italian military training jets, Israeli defense officials said Thursday.
The agreement, which still needs formal government approval, marked the end of a long competition between Italy and South Korea over the lucrative sale.
Israel announced it would buy the M-346, made by the Italian company Alenia Aermacchi and designed for low-cost flights. The aircraft will replace American Skyhawks, which the Israeli Air Force has trained with for 40 years.
Italy will reciprocate the Israeli purchase by buying $1 billion in Israeli defense equipment, Israel's Defense Ministry said.
The ministry's director general, Udi Shani, said the offset deal enabled Israel to make the large purchase in a "harsh budgetary reality."
South Korea hoped to sell its T-50 aircraft to Israel and had issued a $1.6 billion counteroffer including buying the expensive Iron Dome anti-rocket system, defense officials said. As Israel considered its options, South Korea complained about a lack of transparency in the deal.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations.
In a letter to South Korea, Shani wrote that "after close analysis of both the proposals, and at the conclusion of a long and comprehensive review process, it was decided that the Italian proposal was the most efficient choice for Israel's Ministry of Defense."
He cited the suitability of the jets to the "direct needs" of the Israeli air force, the cost and the "significant offset conditions."
Another security establishment official added that "our pilots have flown dozens of sorties to test the training jets, in South Korea as well as in Italy. Many parameters were examined, particularly the quality of training, safety and price. During these tests we came to the conclusion that in addition to the professional advantages, the Italian planes would be cheaper to operate."
Prior to the agreement, Israel asked Italy for clarifications regarding an incident in which one of the country's training jets crashed in Dubai. It was initially thought that the crash, which occurred a few months ago, may affect the tender's results.
"The Italians disclosed all the necessary data, photos and findings of the investigation into the accident, and we learned that the crash was the result of a technical malfunction in the electrical system of an aircraft that is a prototype and not a plane that had rolled off the production line," an Israeli defense official said.
"This malfunction is characteristic only of prototypes and is not relevant to the production line."
The decision disappointed Seoul, but Israel's security establishment does not believe it will lead to the suspension of security cooperation with the Koreans.
"There was a competition, and in every competition there is a losing side," a defense official said.
The Defense Ministry rejected claims it should not have made the purchase during a period of budget cuts. "The Skyhawk planes our pilots are using for training are over 40 years old," an Air Force official stated.
"The IAF has determined that continuing to use them would be very costly due to repeated technical problems, and they may put the pilots and even the citizens of the State of Israel in danger."
The deal only has initial approval and needs official authorization from Israel's defense minister, the government, and the Israeli parliament.
The Defense Ministry said the agreement is expected to be approved, and the planes are to be delivered in 2014.
20 mar 2012, 22:40 , Respect
Israel will buy 30 Italian military training jets
(3:38) Aermacchi M346 First Flight
Israeli Defense Ministry has reached a deal with an Italian company to purchase 30 military training jets with the value of one billion dollars.
Israel announced that it would buy the M-346, made by the Alenia Aermacchi and designed for low-cost flights.
Italy will reciprocate the Israeli purchase by buying one billion dollars in Israeli defense equipment.
Israeli Defense Ministry’s director general, Udi Shani, said the offset deal enabled Israel to make the large purchase in a "harsh budgetary reality."
The deal only has initial approval and needs official authorization from Israel’s Minister of Military Affairs Ehud Barak.
Israeli officials said they expect the agreement to get the final green light, and the planes to be delivered in 2014.
Israeli possesses a sophisticated air force of US-made F-15 and F-16 warplanes.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/227317.html