Technology  

The IDF is receiving new tank shells, known as M339s, which explode only after penetrating targets, thus enhancing its lethality. Also, a new Israeli assault rifle will feature twin barrels, the first such gun to be made in Israel. 

IDF units are now using "Tzayad," a software program that allows units to share information on the location of friendly and hostile forces in the battlefield, much like a GPS program. Unit commanders can upload information about the disposition of forces and "Tzayad" then determines whether the unit is in need of resupply or reinforcement.

As a result of the increased threat from man-portable surface-to-air missiles, the Israel Air Force has initiated plans to develop a protective anti-missile shield for its helicopters. Developed by Rafael, the "Fliker" system recently completed its first successful test. It is activated when automatically discharged flares fail to divert the incoming missile.

As part of its increasing demand for stealth missions far from its borders, the IDF is considering adding an airborne insertion and extraction unit to its newly created Depth Corps that would be built around a squadron of U.S. V-22 Ospreys, a tilt-rotor aircraft. No order has yet been placed.

Israel continues to be at the forefront of UAV technology, whether it be in cooperation with allies such as the U.S. and UK or deployment on the home front. (Arie Egozi, "Sting like a Bee, Land on the Back", IsraelDefense, April 25, 2012) 

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Missile Defense

The House Armed Services Strategic Forces subcommittee has approved nearly $1bil in U.S. aid to Israeli anti-missile programs: $680mil to Iron Dome, $119mil for Arrow, and $150mil for David's Sling. This would represent a nearly four-fold increase in U.S. funding from FY2012. While both the Arrow and David Sling's programs are joint U.S.-Israeli systems, House lawmakers are also seeking proprietary rights to Israel's Iron Dome system.

The Israel Air Force will receive a new, upgraded Arrow missile interceptor-Block 4-in the coming weeks. Israel intends to hold the first interception of the Arrow 3 in the coming months.

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U.S.-Israel Cooperation

Outgoing IAF commander Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan received the Legion of Merit from USAF Commander Gen. Norton Schwartz. In the certificate accompanying the medal, General Schwartz thanked the IAF for its intelligence sharing: "This information assisted the United States Air Force efforts in overseas contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Israel's on order F-35 Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter) fighters will be armed with a mix of U.S.- and Israeli-made weapon systems. Israel expects delivery of the first batch of F-35s in 2017.

The United States currently stockpiles $800mil - set to rise to $1.2bil - worth of materiel in Israel. The reserves are intended for American use during war, but Israel may use the equipment in an emergency with U.S. approval.

The United States and 16 other countries are holding a three-week exercise, dubbed Eager Lion 2012, in Jordan under the aegis of U.S. Special Operations Command Central Command. Involving 12,000 troops, the traditionally annual bilateral exercise has been expanded and includes live-fire drills and is occurring throughout the Hashemite Kingdom. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey visited Jordan in late April in anticipation of the exercise.

Elbit System's Large Area Display was chosen by Boeing to provide the advanced avionics systems for its fighters, including upgrades to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and the F-15SE Silent Eagle. (Page 8)

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Egypt Watch

Tensions in the Sinai continue to rise as several Egyptian policemen were killed in clashes last month in the desert peninsula. More UN observers, this time from Fiji, were briefly kidnapped in early May as Egyptian security forces launched an operation to quell the anarchy in the Sinai.

"Loose" Libyan missiles continue to have a security effect across the region. Two rockets were fired at Eilat in early April were of Libyan origin. More recently, Egyptian authorities seized a large shipment of missiles and weapons smuggled from Libya, including 40 surface-to-surface missiles, 17 RPG launchers, and 10,000 artillery shells.

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Odds and Ends

Israel is considering sending a small, 14-man police force to South Sudan, though the decision is on hold pending the spiraling violence in that country.

Washington has given Tunisia $32mil in military aid since the overthrow of the Ben Ali regime. 35 Tunisian soldiers are also being trained in the United States.

Israel has developed sophisticated port security measures, including the deployment of Elbit Systems' "Stingray" and Rafael's "Protector", both unmanned surface vehicles. The Israeli navy has developed Underwater Special Missions Groups, known as "Snapir" (fin) units, dedicated to underwater port protection.

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Turkey Watch

Despite denials by both the United States and NATO, reports persisted that Israel was being blocked by Turkey from attending the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago. Thirteen other non-NATO member partners will attend the summit. Earlier in the year, Turkey vetoed Israeli participation in a NATO operation in the Mediterranean.

In order to replace Israeli-made Heron UAVs, Turkey is spending $70mil to lease 5 U.S.-built Beechcraft King Air 350 twin turboprop airplanes for observation and intelligence collection.

Old and New Allies

Israel has  received its fourth German-built, Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Tanin. Representing the "long arm" of the Israeli navy, the delivery exemplifies close German-Israeli military cooperation.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited Colombia last month, meeting with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Minister of Defense Juan Carlos Pinzon. Colombia is a purchaser of Israeli defense systems and has been a friend of the Jerusalem over the last decade.