25 mars 2014 Romandie.com (AFP)

LA HAYE - Trente-cinq pays se sont engagés mardi à La Haye à renforcer leur sécurité nucléaire, notamment en appliquant des standards internationaux plus stricts, afin d'empêcher des terroristes de s'emparer de matériaux leur permettant de construire une bombe atomique.

Notre objectif est d'éliminer les maillons faibles de la sécurité nucléaire, a déclaré le ministre néerlandais des Affaires étrangères Frans Timmermans au second jour du sommet de La Haye.

Plus de cinquante dirigeants du monde entier participaient à ce 3e sommet destiné à s'assurer que des groupes terroristes ne puissent pas mettre la main sur des matériaux nucléaires.

Afin de ne pas freiner la volonté de certains pays à aller plus loin que d'autres dans les accords conclus, les Etats-Unis, les Pays-Bas et la Corée du Sud ont proposé aux participants qui le souhaitaient d'adhérer à une série de lignes de conduite basées sur celles de l'Agence internationale de l'énergie atomique (AIEA).

La France, la Turquie, l'Ukraine, le Japon et Israël font partie des 35 signataires du texte, qui n'a été signé ni par la Russie ni par la Chine.

Ce texte va de fait plus loin que le communiqué final du sommet, dont l'AFP a vu le projet, qui est perçu par de nombreux observateurs comme le plus petit dénominateur commun.

Les recommandations de l'AIEA représentent ce qui ressemble le plus à des standards internationaux, a soutenu le secrétaire américain à l'Energie Ernest Moniz.

L'accord conclu entre les 35 pays vise à construire une architecture mondiale garantissant la sécurité nucléaire, notamment en promouvant une plus grande transparence, l'échange d'informations et l'établissement de bonnes pratiques partagées par tous.

La sécurité nucléaire relève de la responsabilité nationale mais il est essentiel de la renforcer au niveau international, en apprenant des expériences des uns des autres ou en appliquant les lignes de conduite de l'AIEA, a soutenu M. Timmermans.

La sécurité nucléaire est au centre de l'héritage politique que Barack Obama souhaite laisser: il avait assuré en 2009 que le terrorisme nucléaire était la menace la plus immédiate et la plus extrême pour la sécurité mondiale.

Les premiers sommets nucléaires avaient été organisés en 2010 à Washington et en 2012 à Séoul. Après le sommet de La Haye, un sommet final doit être organisé en 2016.

18/3/2014 Avigdor Klein - israeldefense.com

Brig. Gen. (Res.) Avigdor Klein, formerly the IDF Chief Armored Corps Officer, wishes to point out a few facts before the IDF proceed along the path leading to the purchase of a new self-propelled gun system
 

Almost no military organization intends to purchase a new self-propelled gun system. That is a fact. There are many reasons for it – from the costly maintenance of the arsenal (compared to the rocket launching systems adapted to providing accurate combat fire support) to the fire support needs that have changed. Accuracy and collateral damage restrict the use of tube artillery offering statistical performance, and a warhead adapted to the target and improved accuracy are required.

Modern armed forces are switching to tactical combat fire support within closer ranges, based on accurate mortars and rockets, and gradually minimize their self-propelled gun arsenals while upgrading the remaining ones. The trend is to provide more support to urban warfare operations.

Another fact – almost no military organization has purchased a new tracked self-propelled gun system. In recent years, the need for maneuvering in difficult traffic ability terrain has decreased (range will compensates for such needs, if they arise). The vehicle is problematic as far as civil infrastructure (roads, bridges and water conduits) is concerned. Its spare parts and maintenance are costly; it is restricted with regard to long journeys (e.g. between fronts) owing to the increased wear sustained by the track and suspension system in such journeys; it is costly owing to the high fuel consumption of the platform (owing to weight). Additionally, this vehicle requires specialized training for operation, servicing and driving (it is not similar to civilian vehicles), thereby necessitating a large crew per platform (for overcoming emergency malfunctions). Moreover, self-propelled guns do not enable rapid mobilization between fronts and theaters and necessitate a supporting arsenal of dedicated transporters.

A third fact – no military organization has purchased or upgraded an existing self-propelled gun system into a fully automatic system, as reducing the number of crewmen can be achieved through other improvements. Additionally, the required operational rate of fire can also be achieved through other improvements. For example, the modular propellant arsenal is not yet sufficiently mature to support, with the required degree of reliability, a responsible operational layout. Experience has shown that frequent cleaning of the breechblock, as well as clearing of malfunctions during actual firing are required, which necessitate that the turret remain manned. Primarily, however, a fully-automatic system will be costly relative to the expected operational benefit, and military authorities prefer to invest the budgets required for such upgrading in more suitable fire layouts.

So, what do the armed forces of friendly countries do? First of all, they reduce their arsenals. The armed forces of NATO have reduced their self-propelled gun arsenals to a minimum, and now rely on other fire layouts. At the same time, they have been addressing the aspects of range and accuracy. These armed forces are making serious efforts to improve the combat fire performance by making it more accurate (the M982 Excalibur extended range artillery shell already exists, other systems are still under development) and increasing its range (45, 47 and 52 caliber barrels).

At the same time, ammunition manufacturers are hard at work developing reliable modular propellants and shells offering extended range and improved accuracy. Gun manufacturers are improving the ability of their guns’ breechblocks/chambers to fire shells using more “aggressive” propellants.

In the context of this upgrading trend, manufacturers are also hard at work developing longer barrels. The efforts of developing, manufacturing and purchasing modern artillery systems by most armed forces focus on wheeled systems with long-barreled guns – 47 or 52 caliber barrels.

Most armed forces also place the emphasis on incorporating the combat support elements into a fast, reliable combat network, and then basing their fire processes on maximum automation, all the way to the actual trigger pull. Additionally, they address the entire fire cycle chain – from the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) to the individual gun. Most armed forces also invest – having reduced their self-propelled gun arsenals – in extending the service life of the remaining arsenals, while introducing ammunition management systems that handle the ammunition from the logistic echelons to the chamber. When purchasing does take place, however scantily, it usually involves wheeled guns (Czech Republic, Sweden and Slovakia). The towed gun market is still attractive and still used by the “Western Club”, notably the USA.

But above all – nobody is purchasing any new tracked self-propelled gun system of any kind!

The fire support needs of armed forces generally and ground combat teams in particular in recent times have indicated drastic changes with regard to everything we knew in the past. There is a growing demand for immediate availability, for accuracy rates that are often uncompromising (selective and accurate engagement of pinpoint targets with minimum collateral damage), for extended ranges (in order to minimize relocating maneuvers and movement through threatened areas) and for diversified structure destruction and kill capabilities. These needs stem from the blurred nature of the enemy, the short exposure intervals of the enemy targets and mainly from the fact that the enemy often chooses to operate in a civilian environment.

Budget constraints alone necessitate that the remaining funds be invested in the most vital needs. Additionally, we should also address such considerations as the incomplete maturity and technological reliability of the aforementioned fully-automatic self-propelled gun system with no crewmen in the turret. We should ask ourselves whether we alone think differently when we opt for a new tracked and fully-automatic self-propelled gun system.

It is this writer’s opinion that the IDF units need organic close fire support, so the self-propelled gun system has a right to exist, not “at sufferance” but owing to an actual need. I urge the reader to bear in mind that in most western armed forces, the self-propelled gun system is associated, almost organically, with the brigade level – and this fact determines the system’s tactical designation. I expect that in the IDF, too, the designation and role of the brigade will intensify and change as it gradually evolves into an autonomous formation that may be mobilized between theaters, more intensively than today. Anyone who shares my view will agree that the examination of the type of self-propelled gun system and the type of chassis assigned to carry it should be based on a forward-looking, system analysis and the needs of the brigade: mobility between theaters and fronts and flexibility in particular.

I would recommend to the IDF Artillery Corps and the builders of the IDF ground force to invest in a new and modern weapon system from the category of the divisional, theater/regional fire layouts (including accurate rocket systems). I would mark the most essential things that need to be done in order to keep the existing or new self-propelled gun arsenal, so that in determining its contents and quality, the elements I have outlined are taken into consideration, including the integration of the self-propelled gun system with the introduction of mortars on the one hand and rockets on the other hand, so as to provide the much-desired operational flexibility.

In any case, a relevant and effective system should be selected, based on the criteria of range, accuracy, ammunition, auxiliary systems for ammunition management and operation and autonomy – “network self-propelled gun”.

A fully-automatic, tracked self-propelled gun system without crewmen in the turret? Absolutely not!

***
The Third International Fire Conference on the topic "Network-Based Employment of Fire in a Dynamic Environment", which will take place on May 19th-22th. The conference is produced by IsraelDefense and the Israel Artillery Association in cooperation with the IDF Land Army HQ and IDF Artillery Corps.
For the conference website and registration Click Here

Brig. Gen. (res.) Avigdor Klein is the owner of Avigdor K. Engineering Systems Ltd. Among the many positions he served in during his military career was that of the IDF Chief Armored Corps Officer.

18 Mar 2014 By: Arie Egozi– FG

19.03.2014 Romandie.com (ats)

Israël a bombardé plusieurs sites militaires syriens, tuant un soldat et en blessant sept. Ces attaques ont été menées en représailles à l'explosion d'une bombe artisanale qui a blessé quatre militaires de Tsahal mardi sur le plateau du Golan.

Parmi les cibles visées durant la nuit par la chasse israélienne figuraient un poste de commandement, un centre d'entraînement et des batteries d'artillerie, a déclaré un porte-parole de l'armée israélienne. Le régime de Bachar al-Assad a condamné ces bombardements, mais n'a pas brandi la menace de représailles.

Le Premier ministre israélien Benjamin Netanyahu avait averti dès mardi qu'Israël réagirait "avec force" après l'explosion de mardi. Le ministre de la défense Moshé Yaalon a mis en demeure mercredi le régime du président al-Assad de cesser de "coopérer" avec les ennemis d'Israël.

Présence du Hezbollah

Certaines zones du côté syrien du plateau du Golan sont contrôlées par des rebelles combattant l'armée syrienne, y compris des combattants jihadistes hostiles à Israël. Selon Jérusalem, le mouvement chiite libanais Hezbollah, allié de Bachar al-Assad et ennemi de longue date d'Israël, est également présent dans cette région.

Les quatre soldats israéliens ont été blessés alors qu'ils patrouillaient sur la ligne séparant le territoire capturé par Israël à la Syrie lors de la Guerre des Six Jours en 1967 et annexé par la suite - annexion non reconnue par la communauté internationale - du territoire syrien.

Cet incident est le plus grave pour l'armée israélienne depuis le début du soulèvement contre Bachar al Assad il y a plus de trois ans.

Mar. 9, 2014 - By BARBARA OPALL-ROME – Defense News

Revamp Agendas in Common Bid To Boost Firepower, Maneuver

TEL AVIV — Tighter budgets and changing threats are forcing specialized Israeli Army corps to temper parochial ambitions to bolster a smaller, fire-fortified, combined arms maneuvering force.

Just a year ago, Israel’s Artillery Corps was crafting a new mission statement and doctrine to transition from its traditional role of fire support to the leading ground force provider of standoff attack. Its Fire2025 master plan aspired to one-shot, one-target accuracy at increasingly long ranges, with saturation fire relegated to second-tier status.

At the same time, the Armored Corps was championing its own agenda to sustain outyear production of main battle tanks, mitigate downsizing and preserve its capacity for conventional war.

But reassessments in recent months are accenting a more interdisciplinary strategy for training, organizing and equipping Israel’s future ground force, seeking benefits beyond corps-specific parochial agendas, officers here said.

“In the end, we determined that as an integral and central component of the ground forces, we needed to view ourselves first and foremost as a supporting organization to enable the Army to achieve its objectives,” said Brig. Gen. Roy Riftin, commander of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Artillery Corps. “In parallel, we will build capabilities to enable accurate means of standoff attack.”

In a late February interview, he acknowledged that the return to traditional support priorities “was not easy to swallow” by members of Israel’s gunner community.

For years, artillery proponents, including Riftin, had envisioned network-enabled ground-based systems as an option to airpower for a spectrum of scenarios demanding precision standoff attack.

“We’re still pursuing the vision,” Riftin said of revamped plans. “But in the end, I understood that the Corps will be much more significant if we continued to accent the element of support.”

Brig. Gen. Shmuel Olansky, IDF chief armored officer, conceded similar resistance among the close-knit armored community to downsizing armored reserve forces by several brigades. He also acknowledged that plans to infuse all armored battalions with organic infantry capabilities optimized for urban war has sparked accusations that the Corps was sacrificing its capacity for conventional war.

“It’s emotion and a matter of pride. ... I meet often with critics — many of them are my former commanders — and I admit there are no guarantees that what we’re doing now is correct,” Olansky said. “But I’m confident that the direction we’re going in today is most appropriate for reasonable scenarios.”

Nevertheless, Olansky noted, “If, in 10 years, we face concerted, mass attack from a combination of armies...” He intentionally declined to complete the thought.

Accent on Combined Arms

By the end of 2016, each active-duty armored battalion will have its own organic specialty company composed of reconnaissance, observation and mortar platoons. An identical plan will be implemented later for the reserve force, Olansky said.

New combat support specialty companies will replace older-model tank companies slated for retirement. They’ll be trained to operate “shoulder-to-shoulder” with main battle tanks as an integral part of armored forces optimized for maneuvering in urban and heavily forested arenas.

“We don’t need to build a force only for mass maneuvering war, but for what we call war between wars where the enemy is less visible, less likely to engage us directly, yet lethally equipped with advanced anti-tank missiles,” Olansky said. “This means our future force must be flexible to transition rapidly to different warfare scenarios. It means we need more precise tank rounds and the ability to respond in real time to targeting data coming from various sources.”

Col. Nadav Lotan, commander of the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade, said new capabilities provided by specialty mortar platoons extend the battalion’s operational envelope.

“Mortars will be able to reach ranges that the tank doesn’t have. It’s a significant boost in operational effectiveness,” Lotan said during a recent interview in the Golan Heights.

Plans call for equipping the Armored Corps’ organic mortar forces with infantry-operated Keshet, an M113-based 120mm recoil mortar system by Elbit Systems.

Riftin is evaluating upgraded infantry maneuvers with Humvee-mounted ELM-2106 Windshield tactical radars, the IDF’s choice over the US AN/TPQ-48. Radar producer Elta Systems, a subsidiary of state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries, is expected to deliver demonstration radars by summer, and Riftin’s Artillery Corps is forming teams to operate the system alongside Keshet against rocket and mortar threats.

Good-Enough Precision Rockets

The Artillery Corps has designated a new precision rocket by state-owned Israel Military Industries (IMI) as its weapon of choice for bridging immediate needs with future plans for standoff strike.

Known here as Romach, the rockets are designed to strike within 5 meters of targets some 35 kilometers away. Once fully deployed, Romach will offer an accurate alternative to unguided rockets and artillery shells whose use — while legal under international law — is increasingly ill-suited for urban war.

Launched from a standard multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), Riftin hailed Romach as “an excellent, pragmatic solution” to shift from so-called statistic weaponry, which constitutes 95 percent of his force and is much more prone to inflicting collateral damage.

“Our need to operate in built-up areas demands across-the-board shift from statistic weaponry toward a new inventory based on precision,” Riftin said. “But since the best precision weaponry is very expensive, we need to go with cost-effective capabilities that may not be the best, but are good enough.”

Multiyear plans call for mass procure-ment of the IMI-developed system. The firm is working on supplying some 1,000 rockets to support deployment of the IDF’s first Romach battery in November.

Riftin said his organization is crafting the operational concept for Romach operations following its successful conclusion of rigorous field tests.

“It’s proven itself in terms of precision,” he said. “The range is a little shorter than we would have liked, but it still fires more or less to the boundaries of a division. And since it uses a common MLRS launcher, we don’t need to change platforms or people. The only thing we’re changing is the certification process.”

He said Romach meets parallel requirements to provide fire support for maneuvering forces and for accurate targeting of two-story structures in urban, anti-terror operations. “It’s the ideal ‘good enough’ option that allows us to straddle both worlds at a reasonable cost.

18/03/2014 Par Cyrille Louis, Service infographie du Figaro

INFOGRAPHIE - Pour l'État hébreu, une nouvelle confrontation avec la milice chiite, qui dispose de 100.000 roquettes et missiles, est inéluctable dans cette zone frontalière.

Trois ans après le début de la guerre en Syrie, le plateau du Golan a cessé d'être la frontière la plus paisible d'Israël. Sur ses reliefs vert tendre retentit désormais le vacarme des tirs d'artillerie qu'échangent, quelques kilomètres plus à l'est, rebelles et loyalistes syriens. Au cours des derniers mois, plusieurs frappes ont en outre visé des positions israéliennes à la frontière avec le Liban, sur les sommets enneigés du mont Hermon. Ce mardi, trois soldats ont également été blessés lors d'une explosion au passage de leur Jeep près de Majdal Chams. Le premier ministre Benyamin Nétanyahou s'est empressé de déclarer que l'État hébreu réagirait «avec force» et selon la radio militaire, Tsahal a, dans la foulée, riposté par des tirs d'artillerie en direction du territoire syrien. «La situation se tend inexorablement, s'inquiète le général Yaïr Golan, qui commande la région Nord. Nous avons dû édifier une nouvelle barrière de sécurité, remplacer nos troupes de réserve par des forces plus opérationnelles et renforcer nos capacités de renseignement.»

Le conflit syrien, d'abord lointain, s'est peu à peu propagé à l'ex-zone démilitarisée tracée, après l'armistice de 1967, le long de la frontière avec l'État hébreu. Selon les militaires israéliens, ce corridor serait aujourd'hui contrôlé à 70 % par les rebelles. «Ces deux dernières années, des dizaines de projectiles ont atterri sur notre territoire, fort heureusement sans faire de victime», souligne Yaïr Golan, l'un des plus hauts gradés israéliens. Le risque de débordement de la guerre en Syrie est jugé d'autant plus élevé que plusieurs groupes djihadistes ont pris position dans cette zone. «Ils ne sont encore que 100 à 300 combattants et se gardent jusqu'à présent de nous attaquer, précise le commandant de la région Nord, mais il ne faut pas se tromper sur leur idéologie: après le régime Assad, Israël sera leur prochaine cible…»

    « Nous utiliserons toutes nos capacités, y compris maritimes et terrestres... »

    Yaïr Golan, général dans l'armée israélienne

Des multiples bouleversements induits par le conflit syrien, le regain de tension avec le Hezbollah est celui qui inquiète le plus les militaires israéliens. Le calme qui régnait depuis la fin de la guerre de 2006 à la frontière israélo-libanaise paraît en effet plus précaire depuis que la milice chiite s'est engagée, début 2013, au côté de Bachar el-Assad. «Le Hezbollah a déployé près de 5000 combattants en Syrie et y a perdu entre 200 et 300 hommes, estime Yaïr Golan, mais il n'est pas affaibli pour autant. Au contraire, ses combattants sont en train d'acquérir une précieuse expérience opérationnelle tandis que la milice se dote d'armes de plus en plus sophistiquées.»

Les stratèges israéliens redoutent tout particulièrement que le Hezbollah ne profite du désordre syrien pour convoyer, vers ses bases libanaises, des missiles de longue portée provenant d'Iran ou de Russie. «Le mouvement cherche ainsi à combler l'écart qualitatif avec notre arsenal et à augmenter sa capacité de dissuasion», affirme le général Golan. Une menace que l'armée de l'air israélienne a tenté de conjurer en frappant secrètement, à six reprises au moins depuis janvier 2013, des dépôts ou des convois d'armes sophistiquées en territoire syrien. Au risque de provoquer une escalade difficilement maîtrisable…

Fin janvier, le Hezbollah a ainsi haussé le ton lorsqu'une frappe attribuée à ­Israël a, pour la première fois depuis le début du conflit syrien, visé une de ses bases sur le sol libanais. «Cette nouvelle attaque est une agression flagrante (…) qui ne restera pas sans riposte», a réagi le parti chiite, promettant de choisir «le moment opportun et l'endroit approprié pour répondre». La menace a sans doute reçu un commencement d'exécution jeudi dernier, lorsque deux engins piégés ont explosé dans le nord du Golan, blessant légèrement trois soldats israéliens. L'État hébreu a aussitôt répliqué en tirant des obus de mortier sur une position supposée de la milice chiite. «La situation est désormais hautement inflammable et une étincelle pourrait précipiter une confrontation, met en garde le général Yaïr Golan, même si celle-ci n'est pas forcément souhaitée par les parties.»

Échaudés par la guerre de juillet 2006, durant laquelle le Hezbollah continua à tirer des roquettes durant 34 jours et revendiqua finalement la victoire, malgré les lourdes pertes infligées par les frappes ennemies, les stratèges israéliens disent se préparer cette fois à un conflit «décisif». Selon leurs renseignements, la milice chiite dispose de 100.000 roquettes et missiles, dont plusieurs dizaines d'une portée supérieure à 250 kilomètres. «La troisième guerre du Liban ne se limitera pas à des raids aériens, promet Yaïr Golan, et nous utiliserons toutes nos capacités, y compris maritimes et terrestres, pour supprimer la capacité de nuisance de l'ennemi.» Une prédiction aux accents de mise en garde. «Le fait que le Hezbollah prenne refuge dans les villes et villages chiites situés dans le sud du Liban, assure-t-il, ne nous empêchera pas d'utiliser la force pour protéger nos civils.»

25.02.2014 Shir Cohen - iaf.org.il

Ten years ago, the first F-16I fighters landed in Israel in their new home at the "Negev" squadron in Ramon Airbase. Last week, the aircrews that greeted the first F-16I upon their arrival ten years ago, gathered at Ramon airbase and reenacted the first flight

Despite the inclement weather outside, February 19th, 2004 was a day of great significance for the IAF. Two new F-16I fighter planes landed at Ramon airbase and began a new era for the force.

Last week, the participants of the event in 2004 gathered at the exact same spot to mark the decade anniversary of the advanced aircrafts. The participants included generations of aircrews from the "Negev" squadron, people involved in the F-16I squadrons and Brigadier General Amikam Norkin, the Head of Air Division, who at the time served as commander of the first F-16I squadron.

The highlight of the day was the reenactment of the first flights of the planes: two of the original planes met the aircrews that had flown them that winter day in February 2004.Lieutenant Colonel Amir, commander of the squadron, said at the end of the busy day: "There is excellent synergy among all the F-16I squadrons that you can clearly see that that is the way the founders of the division had intended it to be".

In addition to the reenactment flights, the soldiers of the squadron also gathered to preserve the tradition of F-16I in the IAF and held a special quiz on the operations of the past decade. "Looking back at our heritage is of tremendous importance", said Lieutenant Colonel Amir in his speech at the event. "However, we need to continue developing and leading, as well as learning from others and working as one with our sister squadrons".

16/03/2014 Pascal Lacorie, à Jérusalem – LaTribune.fr

Tsahal, l'armée israélienne, va regrouper plusieurs de ses bases dans le Néguev. Parallèlement, un parc industriel sera créé à Beer-Sheva, chef-lieu de ce Sud déshérité et semi-désertique. Des dizaines d'entreprises, ainsi que des institutions publiques et universitaires, y seront réunies.

Mar 8, 2014 ASDNews Source : Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

The United States and the State of Israel concluded an agreement on March 5 to continue support of the production of the Iron Dome weapon system.

The Iron Dome system is capable of intercepting and destroying short-range rockets, and mortar and artillery shells, and is an invaluable component of Israeli missile defense. During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, Iron Dome was credited with saving countless Israeli lives, and was called a "game-changer" by many Israeli policy-makers. Yesterday's agreement ensures continued U.S. funding for procurement of Iron Dome systems and interceptors, and provides for significant co-production opportunities for U.S. industry. Under the terms of the agreement, $429 million will be transferred immediately to Israel to support Iron Dome procurement.

The agreement represents strategic value for both nations. Israel will obtain valuable resources to contribute to its defense and U.S. industry will receive meaningful co-production opportunities for Iron Dome components.

March 13, 2014: Andrew Lisa  - Strategy Page

The head of Israel's military intelligence recently called cyber warfare the biggest revolution in warfare, more than gunpowder and the utilization of air power in the past century. The most formidable nations on Earth currently have militaries - as well as power grids, nuclear arsenals, commercial flight systems and countless other vital entities - that are wholly dependent on computers. Defending them - and attacking those of other countries - is major business, a major part of national security strategies and a major fear of anyone who understands the vulnerabilities of their own country's machines. The best-equipped nations have enormous cyber defense - and offense - departments.

Here are the top dogs of global cyber warfare.

#4: United States of America. The U.S. has an enormous cyber-intelligence apparatus that is widely considered to be tied for the fourth most powerful in the world. America's greatest strength lies in its ability to collect and retain colossal amounts of digital data regarding the abilities of other countries - often gleaned in a fashion that has come under recent global scrutiny.

#3: Russia. Russia is widely believed to have a massive state-sponsored cyber warfare program that infiltrates the official apparatuses of foreign countries as well as domestic "enemies." Russian cyber attacks target economic, military and commercial entities of nations across the world, including the United States. Several Russian defectors outlined Russian misinformation campaigns, as well as infiltrations into private companies that service the U.S. government and military.

#2: Israel. Outspoken in its assertion that the country is the target of constant cyber attacks, Israel has established its own "cyber gym" to train hackers in defending the Jewish state's digital networks. But Israel doesn't only play defense. It is widely believed to have sabotaged the heart of Iran's controversial nuclear program, its uranium enrichment center, with the notorious Stuxnet virus in 2010.

#1: China. Although it is next to impossible to determine how much is the work of private companies or individuals, and how much is state sponsored, experts point to China as the undisputed leader in global cyber warfare. China is believed to have hacked the Australian intelligence apparatus, Indian government networks and departments within the Canadian government. The U.S. suspects China of both sabotage and espionage of American defense networks, private corporations, industrial organizations, research facilities and industrial assets. Congressional panels have called China the greatest existing threat to America's digital security.

Defending against cyber attacks is a top priority for the most sophisticated nations. Whether it's espionage, sabotage, investigative strikes, menacing or simply creating a culture that allows their best private hackers to target sovereign nations, the most powerful countries in the world all realize the power of cyber warfare. With water supplies, air traffic, power grids and countless other vital infrastructure relying on computers, cyber warriors spare no expense building their capabilities to both attack and defend.

12 mars 2014 Romandie.com (AFP)

GAZA (Territoires palestiniens) - L'armée de l'air israélienne bombardait mercredi soir plusieurs sites dans la bande de Gaza, après une attaque massive de roquettes du mouvement radical palestinien Jihad islamique, ont rapporté des témoins.

L'armée israélienne a confirmé à l'AFP une frappe sur Gaza, gouverné par le mouvement islamiste Hamas, mais sans autre détail.

Ces frappes aériennes n'ont pas fait de victimes dans l'immédiat, a indiqué un porte-parole des services d'urgences de Gaza, Achraf al-Qoudra.

Les bombardements aériens se poursuivaient dans la soirée, selon une journaliste de l'AFP.

Selon les témoins, dont un photographe de l'AFP, l'aviation israélienne a procédé à neuf frappes, dont au moins sept dans le sud du territoire palestinien, le reste dans le nord. Les raids ont visé des camps d'entraînement des Brigades Al-Qods, la branche militaire du Jihad islamique, et des Brigades Ezzedine Al-Qassam, le bras armé du Hamas.

Les activistes du Hamas, y compris les combattants de sa branche armée, avaient évacué dans la soirée toutes leurs bases, selon des sources de sécurité locales.

Le groupe radical palestinien Jihad islamique a tiré mercredi des dizaines de roquettes sur Israël en représailles à la mort de trois de ses combattants dans un raid israélien, le Premier ministre israélien menaçant d'une riposte ferme à cette salve.

Il s'agit de la plus grande attaque contre Israël depuis l'opération Pilier de défense (14-21 novembre 2012) dans le territoire palestinien, a souligné l'armée israélienne.

March 10, 2014 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Defensa; published March 10, 2014)

(Published in Spanish; unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)

Israeli manufacturer Aeronautics Defense Systems (ADS) has confirmed a report in the Spanish website Defensa.com that it has signed a contract to supply two air Dominator XP unmanned systems to the Armed Forces of Mexico.

Based on the Diamond DA42 twin-engined private aircraft, the Dominator XP has a flight range of 28h and a payload of 300 kg.

The modified aircraft can be flown at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet (9,150 m) and has a maximum speed of 190kt (351 km/h).

In mid-2011, after it obtained permission from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, ADS made the first export sale of the system, signing a contract to supply two Dominator XP UAVs to Turkey.

Mexico currently operates two Schweizer SA-2-37s donated by the United States and integrated into the Integrated Air Surveillance System (SIVA) of the Mexican Air Force, along with 3 Embraer 145, the Fairchild C-26A and Hermes 450 UAVs.