'Israel overnight strike targeted Iranian missile shipment meant for Hezbollah'

How do the  Israelis come to know about these terrorist weapons? Excellent intelligence ?

Only a few days after an alleged Israeli strike, Syrian media reports Israeli rocket fire targeted a military research center; Western intel sources confirm Syrian reports, say targets were Iranian Fateh-110 surface-to-surface missiles

he sources said the target was a shipment of Fateh-110 missiles. The Fateh-110 is a medium-range advanced guided missile capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Tales of the Gun - Guns of Israel

Israel's fifth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Rahav, unveiled during ceremony in Kiel, Germany

Israel's fifth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Rahav, was unveiled on Monday, April 29 at a special ceremony in Kiel, Germany attended by Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy Rear Adm. Ram Rothberg, Director-General of the Ministry of Defense Maj. Gen. (Res.) Ehud Shani and a delegation of Israeli and German officials.

The ceremony culminated in the smashing of a celebratory bottle of champagne on the hull of the new vessel.

The Dolphin is a versatile vessel, possessing a wide range of capabilities fit for a large variety of missions. The submarine fleet represents the technological cutting-edge of the Israeli Navy, the IDF and the State of Israel. Soldiers in the Israeli Navy's submarine fleet engage in operational activity day after day under a heavy veil of secrecy. 

Israeli Navy already operates three Type 800 Dolphin class diesel-electric submarine based on the German 209 class submarine design (Dolphin commissioned in 1999, Leviathan in commissioned 2000, Tekumah commissioned in 2000). In 2006 Israel signed a contract with Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to purchase two additional submarines from its HDW subsidiary. The two new boats are an upgraded version of the older Dolphins, featuring an AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) system, similar to the one used on German Type 212 submarines.

An AIP system allows a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen therefore increasing diesel-electric submarines stealth and endurance. AIP offers diesel-electric submarines a remarkable increase in capability.

The new Israeli submarines are nammed Tannin and Rahav. Tannin was delivered last year. Israeli Navy had an option for a third unit. 

Israeli Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Eshel Flies Cobra

Maj. Gen. Eshel joins Cobra helicopter squadron training after its return to regular activity, a month and a half after being grounded following an accident



The Israel Air Force's Cobra (Tzefa) helicopters have returned to flight activity, more than a month after the accident of the Cobra helicopter that cost the lives of Lt. Col. Noam Ron and Maj. Erez Flesker, and prior to the conclusion of the full investigation.

The findings of the investigation pointed to the accident being caused by a technical failure, and the IAF decided to return the first combat helicopter squadron to full activity.

The commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, joined the squadron training that took place yesterday. "We lost two of our best fighters as a result of a technical malfunction. The investigation has yet to conclude, and we will continue until we reach all of the necessary conclusions in order to safely return to operational capability. There is considerable operational importance to the layout's return to activity, and the Tzefa is very relevant to the changing reality along our borders," said Maj. Gen. Eshel. 

Skylark Generation 2 UAV to enter in service with Israeli Army in the next few months

The newest model of the IDF's most advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – the Skylark – is expected to enter operational use in the coming months. The Skylark – Generation 2 is currently in its final testing stages and is designed for use in the field by infantry battalions in the IDF Ground Forces.

The Skylark weighs a mere seven kilograms, and is equipped with state of the art cameras that provide visual intelligence of the area of the battlefield in which the battalion operates. The new model of the Skylark has been developed by the Technology and Logistics Branch and the Ground Forces Weapons Department and is being supplied by Elbit Systems. Its integration in the field is expected to provide technological operational advantages, including the use of the Skylark's upgraded cameras. Furthermore, the UAV's communications system will soon be hooked up to the Ground Forces' overall command and control system. The Ground Forces' vision is for every battalion to have an attached Skylark squad to provide field support. The Skylark Unit's responsibilities are also expected to grow to coincide with a significant expansion planned for the use of UAVs in the Ground Forces.


 

Test Firing Validates David’s Sling Air & Missile Defense System Maturity

 

In an intercept test performed last week RAFAEL validated the maturity of the David’s Sling system, scoring a direct hit on a rocket simulating a live medium range rocket. The David’s Sling system was developed under a US-Israeli cooperation; RAFAEL is the prime contractor and development authority with Raytheon the leading subcontractor and US program lead.

The system provides the ultimate indo-atmospheric interceptor, effectively intercepting ballistic missiles and medium range rockets, manned and unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles and various types of guided weapons. The test conducted over southern Israel Nov. 22, 2012 spanning over a large area of the Israeli Negev desert, to realistically depict the weapon’s long-range capability.
This intercept will be followed by gradually more complex testing, leading toward operational fielding. The first David’s Sling unit will stand up in 2013 under the IAF active defense branch, its technical cadre already undergoing training at Rafael. Through 2013 the new unit will train the first cadre of operators for the new system, leading to the system’s initial operational capability in 2014.

For a fixed cost, Stunner would provide far more capabilities than any alternative approaches that would cost four times or more. A simulation of a hypothetical threat from a country possessing long and intermediate range ballistic missiles clearly demonstrates the case for the new Israeli missile. According to the assessment, a ballistic missile strike force comprising 600 SCUD type missiles and 200 long-range missiles, fired from 60-70 TELs could launch tens of missiles could be launched in quick succession over a few minutes. Many could be heading toward critical assets, while the impact points of few others are uncertain, thus requiring complex threat killing strategies..

Two defense strategies were compared. One, investing a billion US$ in current missiles, each worth around $4 million, the country would get around 240 interceptors. Attempting to intercept the threat, defenders will be required to launch at least 60 missiles to repel the attack, expending 25% of the nation’s defensive assets, against 10% of the enemy inventory. With this strategy, the country’s defensive shield will run dry in the fourth round.

In contrast, opting for David’s Sling only, or a mix of David’s Sling and existing interceptors, the same budget could buy 600 David’s Sling interceptors and 100 of the more expensive ones, saved for special purposes. In this case, less than 10% of the defensive shield will be spent to repel the threat (ten ‘golden missiles’ and 50 Stunners) and defenses would be maintained until the attacker runs out of missiles.

Elbit Systems gets Israeli defence contracts worth $315 mln

Elbit Systems has won various contracts from Israel's Ministry of Defence in a number of fields worth a total of $315 million, the Israeli defence electronics firm said on Monday.

It will supply battle management systems and avionics for helicopters, virtual training for the Israeli Air Force's (IAF) fighter aircraft and operation and maintenance services for the IAF's Flight Academy, worth $75 million, covering deliveries over six years.

It will also provide Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft systems within three years as well as maintenance services over a period of eight years, for a total value of $90 million.

Elbit will supply over four years electronic warfare systems for F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft and for the navy's missile vessels, for a total amount of $90 million. It will also provide electro-optic systems worth $25 million and land systems worth $35 million.

Israeli army's sigint unit holds workshop for hi-tech whiz kids

Israeli military's electronic intelligence unit has held a first-of-its-kind workshop to track young potential candidates, local media reported Wednesday.

Some 30 high school students with "brilliant ideas" for technological developments began Tuesday a three-day workshop hosted by the Unit 8200, which operates within the Intelligence Corps, the Hebrew Ma'ariv daily said.

Apart from collecting signal intelligence and deciphering code, the Israeli army's elite sigint unit oversees defensive and offensive cyber operations, with the demand for suitable candidates often surpassing the supply.

In addition to spotting talent for military service, the workshop also aims to start up the participants' ideas, the report said.

Attesting to the acute shortage, military head-hunters have been dispatched to scout for young computer hackers among Jewish communities worldwide with a potential to become cyber-warfare specialists, and persuade them to immigrate to Israel, Yediot Aharonot reported earlier last month.

The report came months after the Israeli military officially acknowledged that it engages in cyber warfare.

"The Israel Defense Forces is fighting consistently and relentlessly in cyberspace, collecting intelligence and protecting the army's networks as well," the Israeli military said on its website.

India Expresses Desire for Iron Dome System

India wants the Iron Dome defense system. Defense News reports that  India and Israel are cooperating on the development of weapons systems and that India’s main wish is to acquire the Iron Dome on a “buy and build” basis. This means India wants to acquire  it and obtain a license from Israel for its manufacture.

An Indian source told Defense News that Israel had agreed to sell the system to India, but was hesitant about selling the technology needed to manufacture it. The U.S., which helped fund the Iron Dome’s development, has not said publicly whether it backs the deal.

According to the Indo-Asian News Service India is the largest customer of Israeli military equipment and Israel is the second-largest military partner of India after Russian with trade hovering around $9 billion.

Globes reports that the list of future projects discussed during a meeting between Ministry of Defense director general Udi Shani and India’s Defense Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma last week in India included a plan to develop aircraft-launched micro-satellites, as well as plans to develop laser-guided missiles and munitions.

According to an Israeli defense source, other possible plans include specialized radar systems, such as an airborne system for Indian-made light combat planes, and a long-range system for tracking ballistic missiles. However it is uncertain whether any agreement was reached on these plans.

Several F-16 engines stolen from Israeli base

Somebody in the Middle Kingdom wants these engines desperately since the Russian engines are getting harder to copy.  I would speculate that these would go into the J - 10s 

The Malaysians also have pulled off this earlier

For a second year, American-built fighter jet engines have been stolen from an Israeli air base.
Reports out of Israel on Thursday say that several F-16 engines have been stolen from a base in a central part of the country. Israel Defense Forces officials suspect the engines were stolen with inside help, though by whom and for what purpose they do not know. The IDF speculates the engines may have been stolen to be sold for scrap.


In June 2011, the IDF reported the loss of eight F-15 and F-16 fighter engines from a base at Tel Nof near Jerusalem. Officials played down the loss saying the engines were old or retired and likely stolen for scrap. They said that some countries would see value in having them and taking them apart.


They’re still more modern than anything in the Iranian air force inventory, and they would even be helpful to China in their jet engine development. The engines would each weigh more than 3,700 pounds.

John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity​.org, an Alexandria, Va., defense and intelligence think tank, said at the time that even old F-15 and F-16 engines were “better than anything the communist Chinese have.”

The engines, which could be Pratt & Whitney or GE, have “superior” thrust-to-weight ratio and better fuel consumption than anything in the Chinese air force, he said.Pentagon officials last year offered no comment on the thefts but referred questions to the Israelis.

History has shown it’s not impossible to steal jet engines.
In two cases, investigative officials found the thieves had inside help. In 2009, two F-5 engines were stolen from an airbase in Malaysia, tracked to Argentina and ultimately located in Uruguay. A Malaysian air force sergeant was charged along with a businessman with stealing the engines.
In 1989, two U.S. Air Force security policemen were charged in connection with the theft of three F-16 engines from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Those engines were recovered.

Isreali press blames "Bedouins driving SUVs"

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/12/07/3113931/f-16-engines-appear-stolen-from-idf-base