October 26, 2015: Strategy Page

Israel has recently made available a lightweight (200 kg/440 pound) version of its Trophy APS (Active Protection System) called Trophy LV. This is intended for MRAPs (heavily armored trucks), IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and other heavy vehicles that are lighter than tanks. The regular Trophy weighs about a ton and is one of several APS models on the market but it is also the one with the most impressive combat record.

By 2012 Israel was convinced sufficiently to equip all the Merkava tanks in an armor brigade with the Trophy APS. In 2010 the first battalion of Merkavas was so equipped. Then in 2011 Trophy defeated incoming missiles and rockets in combat for the first time. This included ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile), possibly a modern Russian system like the Kornet E. This is a laser guided missile with a range of 5,000 meters. The launcher has a thermal sight for use at night or in fog. The missile's warhead can penetrate enough modern tank armor to render the side armor of the Israeli Merkava tank vulnerable. The Kornet E missile weighs 8.2 kg (18 pounds) and the launcher 19 kg (42 pounds). The system was introduced in 1994, and has been sold to Syria (who apparently passed them on to Hezbollah and Hamas). A few weeks before the ATGM intercept Trophy defeated an RPG warhead (an unguided rocket propelled grenade fired from a metal tube balanced on the shoulder). All this came a year after first equipping Merkava tanks with APS. As it was designed to do, Trophy operated automatically and the crew didn't realize the incoming RPG warhead or missile had been stopped until after it was over. That is how APS is supposed to work and Trophy has proved to be the most reliable and effective APS out there.

This first combat use is a big deal because APS has been around for nearly three decades but demand and sales have been slow. The main purpose of APS is to stop ATGMs but on less heavily armored vehicles, stopping RPG type warheads is important as well. This is the main reason for developing Trophy LV.

The Israeli Trophy APS uses better, more reliable, and more expensive technology than the original Russian Drozd (or its successors, like Arena) APS. This includes an electronic jammer that will defeat some types of ATGMs. For about $300,000 per system, Trophy will protect a vehicle from ATGMs as well as RPGs (which are much more common in combat zones). Israel is the first Western nation to have a lot of their tanks shot up by modern ATGMs and apparently fears the situation will only get worse. Trophy protected several Israeli tanks from ATGM and RPG attacks during the 50 Day War with Hamas in mid-2014. The Israeli manufacturer of Trophy also partners with American firms to manufacture Trophy and Trophy LV for the U.S. market.

Israel first encountered ATGMs, on a large scale, in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. But these were the clumsy, first generation missiles that turned out to be more smoke than fire. More recent ATGM designs have proved more reliable and effective but no nation, except Israel, has yet made a major commitment to APS. That may now change, simply because effective APS like Trophy are available and RPG and ATGM losses are growing.

Most APS consist of a radar to detect incoming missiles and small rockets to rush out and disable the incoming threat. A complete system weighs about a ton. There is also a Trophy Light (weighing half a ton) for lighter, often unarmored, vehicles and now the even lighter Trophy LV for vehicles as small as a hummer.

Russia pioneered the development of these anti-missile systems. The first one, the Drozd, entered active service in 1983, mainly for defense against American ATGMs. These the Russians feared a great deal, as American troops had a lot of them, and the Russians knew these missiles (like TOW) worked. Russia went on to improve their anti-missile systems but was never able to export many of them. This was largely because these systems were expensive (over $100,000 per vehicle), no one trusted Russian hi-tech that much and new tanks, like the American M-1, were seen as a bigger threat than ATGMs.

29.06.2015 par E.L. – Israpresse

La société israélienne d’armement Rafael a annoncé lundi avoir remporté l’appel d’offres pour construire l’unité de cyber-défense de Tsahal, pour plusieurs dizaines de millions de shekels.

Le chef de projet, le général de brigade (réserve) Ariel Caro,  a expliqué que l’unité sera créée en partenariat avec des leaders mondiaux tels que IBM, Cisco et EMC.

L’unité sera en mesure de fournir « une analyse vaste et en profondeur des cyberattaques en temps réel contre les organismes gouvernementaux et les organisations civiles », a déclaré l’ancien officier du renseignement.

Mi-juin, le chef d’état major, Gadi Eizenkot, a annoncé que Tsahal allait se doter d’une unité de cyber-défense au cours des deux prochaines années.

Fin avril, l’ancien chef des services de renseignements et député du Camp sioniste, Amos Yadlin, a affirmé qu’à la lumière des risques de cyber-guerre, un pays ne peut plus se contenter de défendre ses intérêts stratégiques contre des attaques ennemies, mais doit aussi se préparer à lancer des cyber-attaques contre ses ennemis pour protéger son cyber-environnement.

Les résultats financiers de Rafael se sont élevés à 90 millions de dollars en 2014. Au cours de cette même, la compagnie d’armement a battu des records en matière de nouvelles commandes avec 10,5 milliards de shekels contre 6,5 milliards en 2013.

March 8, 2015 by israelmagazine

3 microsatellites Samson ont été lancés à partir d’un avion, sur une orbite basse de 300/600 km, en formation. Mis au point par le Technion de Haïfa, sous la direction du Pr Pini Gourfil, en coopération avec les sociétés Rafael et Israel Aerospace Industries, chaque satellite est construit à partir de six cubes dont le volume ne dépasse pas 10cm3 et pour un poids total de 8kg. Ces microsatellites ont pour but de localiser en un court délai un point sensible, afin de faciliter des sauvetages ou des interventions rapides suite à un désastre. D’autres applications sont également envisagées comme l’élaboration d’une plate-forme de communication rapide et de photographie à très haute résolution…

Suite dans Israël Magazine n°170.

7/2/2015 Amir Rapaport - israeldefense.com

On the eve of the year when IMI is to be sold, CEO Avi Felder speaks about the privatization project, a cooperative with Rafael and the lessons derived from Operation "Protective Edge": “Urban wars will continue”

At the outset of 2015, Avi Felder faces a series of unusual challenges: completing the structural revision within IMI, assimilating the lessons of Operation Protective Edge with regard to the Company’s product range, and above all – facilitating the privatization of IMI, after some elements possessing secret information on the manufacture of rocket engines have been separated from it, and a new company, "Tomer" has been established.

Felder is confident that the coming year will end with IMI, one of Israel’s longest running government companies, under a different ownership, either private or public.

“2015 will be a year at the end of which we should emerge as a privatized company under private, or more precisely non-government ownership,” says Felder.

Does the fact that the Knesset has been dissolved and elections will be held next March change the privatizing plans?

“The train has already left the station. The process will not stop because of the elections. The Government Companies Authority is in charge of this process. We assist it in order to comply with all of the terms. So far, the Company has complied with 100% of the plan prescribed for it. I assume this compliance will remain the same. Later on, the process will be more technical and not one that calls for decisions that could be influenced by the elections.”

Where are we in the process right now?

“In January 2015, an advertisement will be published, calling for companies that would like to participate in the purchase to submit their bids. Subsequently, the regulator should approve the companies included in the bidding and it is planned that by the end of March or in early April at the latest, those companies will receive a detailed RFP and submit their responses to it. By the end of the year, the process will be concluded. We are currently working on the establishment of information rooms, to be opened in late March, for the benefit of the bidders, so that they may use the information to make a decision regarding the tender without compromising details that may adversely affect our on-going competitive position vis-à-vis the companies that may eventually purchase us. At the same time, other processes are progressing as well. During that period, IMI will be split into ‘IMI Systems’ – which would accept all of the Company’s assets and activities, and the residual IMI, which will keep all those things that I refer to as the ‘sins of the past’ – contaminated soil, environmental issues and so forth. The State will assume responsibility for the employees’ pension debts. The split should take place around March. That’s the general direction.

“At the information rooms, the potential buyers will receive all of the information in the most transparent and clear manner that would still protect the Company, as in the end, only one buyer will be selected. In any case, according to the decision of the ministerial committee, IMI Systems will be privatized as a single ‘block’ – it will not be broken down, but sold with all of the production plants and subsidiaries.

“At the same time, we are still working on the establishment of ‘Tomer’ – on the basis of our ‘Givon’ plant (the Rocket Systems Division). Just before IMI is handed over to the buyer, ‘Tomer’ will be separated from it. At this time, we are cooperating with IMOD on the characterization of ‘Tomer’. This plant will deal with all aspects of rocket engines and propulsion, and would sell the engines to IMI just as it is currently done by Givon. It will be a government company – 100% owned by the State of Israel.”

Will the other knowledge centers be privatized?

“Yes. Only the Rocket Systems Division will still be owned by the State of Israel. All of the rest is for sale. We are also working intensively on the relocation of ‘IMI Systems’ to the Negev, which is to take place immediately following the privatization. By 2022 we would no longer be in Ramat HaSharon. To accomplish the relocation to the Negev within seven years – that is a challenge in itself. The relocation process will consist of several phases. Now we are working on the planning of the area we will transfer to. We are considering which activities should be located there. We intend to evaluate what IMI would look like in the coming years, and ensure that some space will be reserved for future development in the context of the relocation to the Negev.”

Will the buyer be required to relocate to the Negev? Will he not be able to change his mind about it?

“There is an agreement, and it will happen. The Government of Israel decided to privatize the Company. In April 2014, 12 contracts were signed between the Company and the trade union and the employees – and the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Defense. These contracts specified everything that had been agreed – the retirement agreement, the agreement regarding the relocation to the Negev – all of these agreements are elements of the privatization process. Now, we take all of those framework agreements and break them down into details, and most importantly – we execute them!”

According to Felder, out of 3,700 IMI employees in early 2014, 700 have already agreed to retire by the end of the year. 500 additional employees will retire over the next few months, and 380 will transfer to ‘Tomer’ after the privatization. At the same time, 250 new employees have been recruited for all positions – from production workers to engineers and marketing managers.

At the bottom line, is the company offered for sale healthy and profitable?

“Yes.”

What is your backlog of orders?

“We are entering the coming year with a backlog of orders of about eight billion NIS. As far as I can remember, this is a record for the Company. It gives us solid working prospects for the next four years. Beyond that backlog, we are taking into account an internal growth of something like 10% a year. The Company will be profitable in 2016.”

Does the backlog include Givon?

“Yes, but not in considerable numbers – around 200-300 million NIS, as over there they have many things that come in over the year and are executed promptly. The backlog also includes our subsidiary ‘Ashot Ashkelon Industries’, which has a backlog of orders of 900 million NIS. ‘Ashot’ is a profitable company with 15% holdings on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, and it will remain profitable.”

What is the ratio between foreign and domestic business?

“About 40% of IMI’s sales are to IMOD and 60% to overseas clients.”

Investments & Structural Change

Avi Felder says that apart from the preparations for the tender, IMI is undergoing some major changes: “We are investing in the purchasing of machines for the production floors in all of the Company’s plants, and have launched a three-year plan for upgrading the Company’s IT system. We have not made any investments in infrastructure for many years, owing to the budget restrictions we were under.

“Another major change is the completion of the establishment of the business administrations within the Company. In 2014 we initiated the establishment of business administrations for infantry, armored forces, engineering, artillery, air and HLS. The function of these administrations is to deal with project management, system engineering and marketing, and be client-driven. In my view, the administrations are the locomotives of the Company. In 2015, these locomotives will pull out and start off.”

How long will "IMI Systems" remain independent?

“I do not know. I assume that a wise and reasonable buyer will continue to operate ‘IMI Systems’ as a business entity and lead it to new horizons. Even under the new ownership, the Company will operate under government regulation, as it operates today.

“There is no difference in the regulative work, regardless of whether it is a private or a government company, small or large.”

In the event that the buyer turns out to be Elbit Systems, will IMI be merged into the group?

“Elop remained Elop even under Elbit’s ownership, and Elisra also remained a separate company. I cannot step into the buyer’s shoes, whoever he may be, he is committed to a certain period of time when ‘IMI Systems’ will continue to be a company. In any case, I do not foresee any dramatic changes initially. In such a process, when a buyer enters a company, he will first of all familiarize himself with it.

“IMI, in particular, is like an aircraft carrier. It is not a small company. The buyer will have to study all of its obscurities, familiarize himself with its engine. Subsequently, he will have to determine whether he can create a synergy with other activities. In my opinion, this stage will take a reasonable amount of time.”

Regardless of the Privatization, has your product range changed over the last five-year period?

“Yes. I think that the similarity between our products today and the range of products we had five years ago is only in the names of the activities, but not in the products. In the field of infantry, for example, we have introduced over the last few years the MPRS system for firing rifle grenades with a high degree of precision, a high-accuracy mortar shell and a new hand grenade with improved safety devices. In the armored forces field, we introduced the 120mm APAM-MP-T M329 tank cartridge, 105mm APAM-MP-T M117/1 tank cartridge and 120mm HE-MP-T M339 tank cartridge. The latter cartridge was used operationally for the first time during Operation Protective Edge, and proved to be a fantastic success.

“Another activity which has developed significantly is artillery rockets. In that field, too, we have introduced a range of completely new products. We now have rockets to ranges of 40 to 250 kilometers, with a CEP of a few meters.”

You surprised everyone with your Predator Hawk guided artillery rocket to a range of 250 km, which you unveiled at the KADEX exhibition in Kazakhstan last summer

“As far as I am concerned, it was no surprise. Anyone who is familiar with our capabilities only asks us ‘when will you introduce the next rocket’.”

What can you say about the sales of the Extra rocket to a range of 150 km?

“This rocket has already been sold to several countries around the world, having passed several perfect trials. This is one example of the change the Company underwent. This deal was signed and delivered very quickly. We fully accomplished our objectives and our clients were satisfied, and even more importantly – satisfied clients come back. In this context, the Predator Hawk is an example of a satisfied client who came back.

“It is important to understand further that we are not just talking about the rocket itself, but rather about a layout of rockets. We sell a complete battalion or brigade, fully equipped from head to toe – the rockets for the launchers, the command centers, the ammunition, the meteorology, the UAV as well as a training and instruction package. The nice thing about the clients who purchased such layouts is that they currently use the rockets without us, in their training exercises.

“In the air category, we introduced the MPR-500 bomb, which was also used operationally for the first time during Operation Protective Edge. As far as we know, it was also tremendously successful.”

What are the sales of this bomb like, apart from sales to the IDF?

“We have had a few sales transactions as well as distribution agreements with some major corporations in the global market – these cooperative alliances apply to manufacturing as well as to sales. For obvious reasons, I cannot name the corporations with whom we entered those agreements.”

What about the continued manufacturing of "loitering weapons", after you developed the Delilah in the last decade?

“It is not our field. We have had no presence in the world of loitering weapons after the Delilah.”

Where do you stand in the field of active defense?

“We are currently engaged in a dialog with Rafael with the intention establishing a cooperative alliance on the issue of active defense. IMOD convened both Rafael and us recently, and at this time both companies are cooperating with the aim of developing the best system for IDF.”

According to Felder, the intention is to combine between Rafael’s Trophy system and IMI’s Iron Fist system, so that the interceptor will be made by IMI, the radar will be made by IAI (as in the Trophy system) and Rafael will serve as the primary contractor and integrator of the project. “We are currently working on the agreement between the companies,” said Felder. “The ownership structure for the project has not been finalized yet, but the general direction is a partnership.”

A partnership with 40% for Rafael, 30% for IAI and 30% for IMI?

“That is the general direction.”

Technologically, can a combination of the Iron Fist and Trophy systems really work?

“The engineers of these companies can do anything. All you have to do is just provide them with a suitable working environment.”

Will the system be available for the future Namer (Merkava) APCs?

“That is for IDF to decide.”

Will it be relevant to export sales as well?

“Provided we receive export permits.”

Generally, in your view, has the transition to the manufacture of precision munitions proved itself?

“Without a doubt, Operation Protective Edge proved to IMI that our development directions were correct. The entire subject of precision guided munitions suitable for urban warfare, on which we have been focusing all these years, has proven itself. The emphasis has been on inexpensive precision munitions that clients can afford. Every two years we prepare a strategic plan for five years ahead. After Operation Protective Edge we set up a team to check whether we are on the right track or need to make adjustments. We came to a sweeping conclusion that the trends were correct. Naturally, some adjustments were required, but no substantial changes.”

What about the fields of cyber and HLS?

“These are new activities which we entered recently. HLS had already existed (within IMI), on the basis of the IMI Academy for Advanced Security & Anti-Terror Training. The Academy provides an excellent basis for soaring and reaching better places. Thus far, the Company has not dealt with it very intensively, but the establishment of the HLS administration is a clear indication of the fact that we want to go in that direction, and take advantage of suitable products that we already have and of the Company’s marketing and integration capabilities.

“We established the cyber element for two reasons: firstly, to defend our products. Obviously, you cannot sell anything today without cyber defense. Secondly, we expanded our cyber defense activity on the basis of a more comprehensive perspective.”

Did you identify a business potential in this field?

“Certainly.”

And what about the more traditional fields of activity? Upgrades for armored still a business potential there?

“There is business in all of those fields. In the field of armored vehicle upgrades we are currently engaged in several projects around the world. In small arms ammunition, our sales to the IDF provide the primary basis for us, but we also sell to retail chains in the USA. In the USA we are regarded as manufacturers of premium ammunition. Our ammunition has excellent reputation. This market is twice as large as the military market, and is very stable.” Felder noted that IMI will once again participate in the SHOT Show, to be held in Las Vegas in January 2015.”

Regarding the new infantry vehicle, Combat Guard, developed by IMI, Felder said: “We developed one vehicle prototype that we showcased at the exhibition in Paris, and received a very serious response. We regard infantry mobilization as one of the legs the Company stands on. We are also involved in the Namer APC, the Body Guard and another off-road vehicle designated Wildcat. The advantage of these off-road vehicles is that they can operate on any terrain, under any conditions. For these vehicles, we also developed weapon systems that can promptly engage any threat based on identification data provided by the active defense system.”

In your view, has the era of wars between regular military forces ended?

“I always say – the unexpected is the only expected element in wars. I assume the military is being prepared so as to provide a solution to any potential scenario, and we attempt to be present at any niche that may prove attractive to the client. The primary characteristic of the battlefield today is the fact that it is constantly changing.”

What trends do you see evolving in the global defense market in the coming year?

“We regularly analyze the global trends. You see the defense budget in the USA, which once was at the highest level and is now being maintained at a certain level. The budgets in Europe have decreased drastically, with the exception of Russia – where the budget has increased by approximately 50%. China has also increased its budget by 50%. The budgets have moved eastward. The increase in the Russian and Chinese budgets has led to a boost in defense expenditure in the entire region. The drop in oil prices has also had a profound influence on the market.

“Generally, Israeli industry and the entire defense industry of Israel are at the technological top. We must retain that by investing in R&D, which yields a very high added value.”

3/11/2014 Ami Rojkes Dombe

At Rafael they understand that the frequency of wars fought in urban environments will increase. For this reason, they have recently launched two new products - a precision rocket and a tactical rotorcraft

Rafael aspires to enter the world of artillery and for this purpose they developed "Iron Flame" – an autonomous precision artillery rocket system, immune to GPS jamming that produces minimum collateral damage. With this product, Rafael has succeeded in offering a relatively inexpensive precision guided, long-range weapon designed specifically for urban warfare. The rocket relies on image comparison navigation – a capability derived from the field of aerial munitions in which Rafael specializes.

"During the Yom-Kippur War, 70,000 artillery shells were fired and during the Second Lebanon War 150,000 shells were fired. This is a weapon system with very limited effectiveness. If you aim to hit a specific house, you might hit another house," explains Aviram L., marketing manager at Rafael's Precision Tactical Munitions Administration. "Our system makes it possible to hit targets accurately even in a scenario saturated with GPS jammers. We have a (guidance) capability based on image comparison. It is a unique Rafael capability that makes it possible to execute a very accurate strike even in urban scenarios, using aerial reconnaissance photographs as a reference image."

The system consists of rocket canisters and mobile launchers. The nose of each rocket contains a guidance unit (which incorporates an uncooled IR camera, a computer, a navigation system, fins for aerodynamic steering and a battery supplying power). The rocket body contains an integral penetration warhead and a rocket engine. The mode of employment is selected according to the scenario and the mission at hand: autonomous acquisition and homing, acquisition and homing onto a laser spot or inertial homing combined with GPS.

The system can also deal with mobile targets using laser designation, but Aviram stresses that the system was not originally intended to handle mobile targets. "An artillery system is intended to handle stationary targets. That is its primary function," says Aviram. "We analyzed artillery scenarios, with the objective of destroying a (specific) house as the primary scenario. We wanted a weapon that avoids a high degree of dispersion owing to the collateral damage. Our working assumption was that the world is going in the direction of urban warfare, as in the near future most of the territory will be built up. In an open area, accuracy is less important."

As in the world of missiles, the launcher of the Iron Flame system is fixed and the missile maneuvers along an optimal trajectory. The people of Rafael say that two capability-proving trials have already been conducted. The Iron Flame launcher consists of 10 tubes and may be installed on land platforms, including Jeeps, as well as on naval platforms.

While other missile systems, such as the Spike system, involve a man in the loop, the Iron Flame system operates autonomously: the operator loads the target into the system by "stabbing" an image, and the system launches the rocket. The process of loading the image into the system takes a few seconds. Aviram says that targets may also be loaded into the system using Google Earth. "The system is open to any accurate map reference system. We aim at the international market, where most of the systems are GPS-based."

Maoz: Tactical Loitering Surveillance System

Along with the Iron Flame system, Rafael has unveiled another tool that can come in handy in urban warfare situations – the Maoz. It is a tactical rotorcraft possessing surveillance capabilities, which had been designed specifically for maneuvering infantry forces. The Maoz may be used for short-range surveillance missions. It can operate in urban warfare scenarios and in open terrain and cope with entangled fortified areas, built-up areas and subterranean spaces (inside buildings and tunnels) with no line of sight between the operator and the target.

How does it work? The operator carries several rotorcraft and a light control unit (a touch screen) in his combat vest. When required, he pulls the loitering rotorcraft out of its canister and positions it on the ground. The rotorcraft is then launched into the air and transmits a real-time image. A warfighter who had received specialized training in flying the rotorcraft in a combat zone will guide the Maoz toward its target using a simple operating routine.

"Rafael aims at the tactical world. Products like the Mini-Spike and Spike SR are aimed at the platoon/company echelon with the purpose of being accessible to every trooper. We wanted to manufacture something that would come packaged in a convenient, compact packaging. It was a substantial challenge," explains Aviram.

In a built-up area, the operating range of the Maoz is 1.5 kilometers. It can operate at a height of 50 meters and remain airborne up to 30 minutes or up to eight hours in a fixed surveillance position. It includes daytime surveillance measures (CMOS) and active night illumination that enable it to detect human targets at a range of 180 meters. It can chart a building/tunnel in 3D and also has backup sensors for navigation. Inside a building, navigation is carried out through image processing. The people at Rafael say that at the moment, the Maoz is at the demo stage and undergoes preliminary tests. "It is a new idea that we have never developed in the past. We do not yet know what we are missing, and for that we would require an operational examination," says Aviram.

"We think that in the long run, the urbanization trend will continue. Since the War of Independence through the Yom-Kippur War to this day, urban warfare scenarios have been occupying an increasingly higher volume. If we can offer attractive solutions for this scenario, we will be ahead of the market."

12.10.2014 Avner Myers - IsraelValley

Le système d’interception de roquettes est conçu pour annihiler une menace à laquelle la plupart des pays ne sont pas confrontés.

Normalement, un nouveau système d’arme de pointe avec un taux de réussite prouvé de 90% sur le terrain, serait contacté en quelques minutes par l’ensemble des agences mondiales d’approvisionnement en matière de défense. Mais le Dôme de Fer israélien anti-roquette doit encore faire ses preuves auprès des acheteurs à l’étranger.

En termes de réalisations opérationnelles, le Dôme de Fer est sans rival sur le marché de l’armement. Actif sur les fronts à la bande de Gaza, au Liban et au Sinaï égyptien, le système connait un taux de réussite de 90%. Mais selon Avnish Patel, du Royal United Services Institute, le problème réside dans le fait qu’il soit conçu pour faire face au défi israélien très spécifique que constitue la lutte contre les roquettes et les missiles de courte portée utilisés par des groupes armées.

Fabricant de l’Iron Dome, la société publique Rafael aurait pu ne pas commercialiser son système de défense et éviter ainsi les risques de fuites de technologie, explique Yossi Druker, Vice-Président de la société. Mais l’exportation en matière d’armement est aujourd’hui une nécessité afin de diminuer les coûts de fabrication. Selon Druker, «Rafael a investi des millions de shekels dans le développement de ce système, Il ne pouvait pas se permettre de le faire sans avoir prévu de le commercialiser à l’étranger.

Jusqu’à présent, le Dôme de Fer n’a été acheté que par un seul pays étranger dont l’identité est tenue secrète. En outre, la liste des de clients potentiels ne comprend pas les pays avec lesquels Israël n’a pas de relations diplomatiques, ce qui exclut les Pays du Golfe pourtant soucieux de la bonne tenue d’une défense antimissile dans un contexte de bras de fer avec l’Iran. La Chine et la Russie dont le dispositif militaire est surveillé de près par Washington, ne sont pas éligibles pour une commercialisation de l’Iron Dome. A l’inverse Rafael reconnaît promouvoir le Dôme de Fer en Corée du Sud et en Inde, respectivement menacé par la Corée du Nord et client le plus important d’Israël dans le domaine de la défense.

Les Etats-Unis, qui ont été étroitement impliqués dans le projet en fournissant plus de 1 milliard de dollars, ont refusé d’acheter le Dôme de Fer pour ses forces armées déployées en Afghanistan et en Irak. Parmi les craintes du Pentagone figure le fait de débourser 100.000 dollars pour l’utilisation de chaque missile intercepteur, a déclaré Riki Ellison, Président de l’U.S. Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Il souligne également l’inadéquation du système avec les tirs de mortiers qui connaissent une faible trajectoire. Israël est pleinement consciente de cette menace, ayant perdu dans ces circonstances 15 soldats et civils au cours de l’été. Pour pallier à cette insuffisance, Rafael est en train d’élaborer l’Iron Beam, qui se veut un système qui utilise des lasers pour détruire les obus de mortier.

Malgré des inquiétudes initiales sur des fuites de technologie, Rafael explique que la sécurité nationale israélienne ne serait pas affectée si cela devait se produire. L’armée israélienne utilise le modèle de quatrième génération du Dôme de Fer, ne laissant à Rafael que la possibilité de commercialiser à l’étranger les versions antérieures.

11.08.2014 i24news.tv

"Faisceau de fer", développé pour intercepter les projectiles de faible portée, est en cours de finalisation

Le système de défense anti-mortier d'Israël sera prêt "d’ici un an ou deux", a indiqué lundi le directeur de l’entreprise israélienne qui a développé "Dôme de fer", ajoutant que les développeurs ont besoin de plus de sponsors pour terminer le projet coûteux.

Baptisé "Faisceau de fer", le système antimissile utilise des rayons laser pour intercepter les projectiles ennemis dont dont l’impact est immédiat et que le Dôme de fer ne parvient pas à éliminer.

Tout comme "Dôme de fer", le nouveau système est développé par l’entreprise israélienne Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd avec un soutien financier important du gouvernement américain.

Interrogé par le Jerusalem Post, Yedidia Yaari, à la tête de l’entreprise a indiqué: "Il existe une réponse aux mortiers et il s’agit du laser".

"Nous travaillons déjà sur un modèle qui frappe les missiles en vol avec un taux très élevé de réussite, mais nous avons besoin d'argent pour le développement", a-t-il ajouté.

Selon les estimations de l'armée israélienne, "Dôme de Fer" a intercepté 86% des roquettes tirées depuis Gaza durant l’Opération Bordure protectrice.

Par ailleurs, le ministère de la Défense a remis lundi au Trésor le bilan des dépenses engagées pour l’Opération, dont le coût s’élève à 18 milliards de shekels, soit 5,2 milliards de dollars.

10.07.2014 Par Hélène Sallon - Le Monde.fr

Le système de défense anti-missile israélien « Dôme de fer » (« kipat barzel », en hébreu) a intercepté, depuis le début de l’opération « Bordure protectrice », des dizaines de roquettes tirées par les mouvements palestiniens depuis la bande de Gaza, dans le sud du pays ainsi que sur les principales villes israéliennes : Tel-Aviv, Jérusalem ou même Haïfa, à 160 kilomètres au nord de l’enclave palestinienne. Ce système, unique au monde, est l’un des éléments centraux du système de défense développé par Israël depuis le milieu des années 1990.

UNE TECHNOLOGIE DE POINTE...

Le Dôme de fer recourt à de petits missiles guidés par radar, pouvant anéantir en plein vol des roquettes de courte portée − de 4 à 70 kilomètres – et des obus d’artillerie et de mortier. Chaque batterie du Dôme de fer comprend un radar de détection et de pistage, un logiciel de contrôle de tir et trois lanceurs équipés chacun de vingt missiles d’interception. Le système repère la trajectoire de la roquette depuis son lancement. Si elle doit s’abattre sur une zone habitée, il tire un missile pour l’intercepter en vol. Selon les statistiques de l’armée, son taux de réussite oscille entre 75 et 90 %.

... QUI A UN COÛT ÉLEVÉ

Chaque batterie coûte 500 000 dollars et chaque missile, 60 000 dollars. Le tout pour détruire une roquette dont le coût de production n’est souvent que de 1 000 dollars. La mise en place du système, décidée en 2005, avait d’ailleurs été retardée, pour mieux former le personnel, mais aussi parce qu’il semblait exagérément cher. Israël aurait investi un milliard de dollars dans le développement et la production de ces batteries, confié au groupe d’armement public Rafael Advances Defence Systems.

Les Etats-Unis le financent en partie. Lors de sa visite à Sderot, en juillet 2008, Barack Obama, encore sénateur à l’époque, avait été ému par la situation des habitants de cette localité du nord de Gaza. Elu président la même année, il a obtenu à peine un an après le vote au Congrès d’une aide de 205 millions de dollars (160 millions d’euros), en plus des trois milliards d’aide militaire octroyée chaque année à Israël. Le Pentagone a prévu un financement de 220,3 millions de dollars pour l’exercice budgétaire 2014 et table sur 176 millons en 2015, après 204 millions de dollars en 2011 et 70 en 2012. En dépit des sommes investies, les Etats-Unis n’ont aucun droit sur la technologie du système.

SIX BATTERIES DÉPLOYÉES DANS LE PAYS

La première batterie a été installée en mars 2011 dans la région de Bersheeva, à 40 kilomètres de la bande de Gaza et à portée des roquettes Grad de conception russe. Trois autres ont été installées près des villes côtières d’Ashkelon et Ashdod, au sud de Tel-Aviv, et près de Nétivot, à 20 kilomètres de la bande de Gaza. Une cinquième batterie a été installée fin 2012 à Tel-Aviv. Une batterie supplémentaire a été déployée depuis. Ces batteries sont semi-mobiles. Les lanceurs sont posés sur des bases de conteneurs.

Une batterie serait à elle seule en mesure de défendre efficacement une ville comme Ashkelon (100 000 habitants). Selon les experts militaires, un total de 13 batteries est nécessaire pour assurer la couverture complète du territoire israélien. Face à des salves simultanées de projectiles, le système risque en effet de saturer en raison du nombre limité de batteries disponibles.

Le commandement des batteries est confié à un chef de batterie, qui se réfère à un commandement central. Le temps de prise de décision pour une interception est court, environ deux minutes entre le lancement et l’impact d’un projectile, note Joseph Henrotin, rédacteur en chef de la revue Défense et sécurité internationales (DSI). Cela explique que l’interception se fasse près du point d’impact, une fois que le système s’est verrouillé sur la cible.

POLÉMIQUE SUR L’EFFICACITÉ DU DÔME DE FER

Selon les Israéliens, le système aurait permis, pendant l’offensive israélienne « Pilier de défense » sur la bande de Gaza en novembre 2012 d’intercepter 85 % des roquettes venues de l’enclave palestinienne. Quelque 1 500 roquettes avaient été tirées depuis la bande de Gaza. Cette estimation avait été contestée à l’époque par l’expert militaire du quotidien Haaretz, Reuven Pedatzur, qui avançait pour sa part un taux proche de 5 %. Le spécialiste s’appuyait sur les évaluations du professeur américain Theodore Postol, du Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Le Pentagone a procédé à ses propres études et conclu que le système n’était pas dénué d’efficacité.

La question de l’efficacité du système est complexe, pointe Joseph Henrotin. « Il y a des batteries meilleures que d’autres. La réussite dépendant également de l’entraînement des personnels, de la capacité à identifier les cibles et à réagir rapidement. cela explique que le taux d’interception soit variable d’un jour à l’autre », indique le spécialiste. Le système est sans cesse perfectionné pour améliorer l’algorithme de traitement des trajectoires au niveau de la station radar ou sa capacité à répondre à des salves simultanées.

90 % DE RÉUSSITE PENDANT L’OPÉRATION « BORDURE PROTECTRICE »

Une roquette tombe près de la ville de Sdérot, dans le sud d'Israël, mercredi 9 juillet. Une roquette tombe près de la ville de Sdérot, dans le sud d'Israël, mercredi 9 juillet. | REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN

Selon le journaliste militaire d’Haaretz Amos Harel, le système de défense antimissile Dôme de fer a, entre lundi 7 et mercredi 9 juillet, enregistré un taux de réussite de 90 % lorsqu’il a été activé. Le système n’est activé que lorsque les projectiles se dirigent vers des zones habitées, a indiqué Peter Lerner, le porte-parole de l’armée israélienne. Quarante-cinq projectiles ont ainsi été interceptés entre lundi soir et mercredi, soit 27 % des 180 roquettes tirées par les mouvements palestiniens de la bande de Gaza. Vingt projectiles supplémentaires ont été interceptés dans la journée de mercredi et la nuit suivante sur les 80 tirés depuis la bande de Gaza.

UNE PROTECTION « MULTICOUCHES »

 « Depuis le milieu des années 2000, les Israéliens ont un système intégré de surveillance anti-balistique et antiaérien multi-couches », indique Joseph Henrotin. Ce système intégré s’appuie sur des avions de détection aérienne avancée de type RG 550 Eitam, des stations de radar volantes et des radars au sol. « Toutes les informations sont centralisées en temps réel dans un même centre de commandement, poursuit le spécialiste en stratégie militaire. Le Dôme de fer a son propre système de radars, relié également au centre. Il dispose d’un meilleur radar de détection en termes de trajectrométrie. »

D'autres dispositifs d’interception complètent ce système. Depuis 2010, les Etats-Unis et Israël développent le système de défense « Baguette magique » et son missile « Fronde de David » (« kala David »). Ce système est dirigé contre les missiles de courte portée (supérieure à 70 km mais inférieure à 250 km), les roquettes de longue portée, les gros calibres (dont les ogives peuvent aller jusqu’à une demi-tonne) et les missiles de croisière. Ce système est toujours en développement. Il a toutefois été intégré à l’une des batteries du Dôme de fer. Il est davantage destiné à être déployé dans le nord d’Israël pour intercepter les roquettes du mouvement chiite libanais Hezbollah, de plus longue portée que celles des mouvements palestiniens de la bande de Gaza.

Le système « Arrow » (« la flèche » ou « hetz » en hébreu), opérationnel depuis 2000, protège Israël des missiles balistiques d’une portée supérieure à 250 kilomètres. Washington finance la moitié de son coût annuel. Le programme « Arrow II » a été développé par Boeing et Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), à partir de 1995, pour éliminer les missiles balistiques conventionnels à plus longue portée, en particulier iraniens (d’une portée de plus de 1 600 km). Pour contrer une éventuelle attaque nucléaire de Téhéran, Israël a développé un intercepteur qui peut localiser et entrer en collision avec des missiles balistiques au-delà de l’atmosphère terrestre : « Arrow III ». La conception, confiée à IAI et Boeing, a été lancée en 2008. Il devrait être opérationnel en 2015, estiment les autorités israéliennes.

La défense israélienne ne se résume pas à ces dispositifs mais comprend tout un spectre d’action, souligne Joseph Henrotin : frappes aériennes sur les lanceurs et les tunnels de contrebande, interception de livraisons d’armes, ainsi qu’une dimension passive : le respect des mesures de sécurité par la population israélienne en cas de tirs de projectile, notamment les abris antiaériens installés dans les sous-sols de la plupart des immeubles du pays.

Apr.7, 2014 By Arie Egozi – FG

Tel Aviv - Israeli guided weapons manufacturer Rafael is offering its Python 5 and Derby air-to-air missiles for integration with some of the Dassault Rafales expected to enter service with the Indian air force.

India in January 2012 selected the Rafale for its 126-unit medium multi-role combat aircraft deal, with the first 18 examples to be completed by Dassault with a full complement of integrated weapons. The type is flown by the French air force and navy with air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons produced by MBDA and Sagem.

An earlier request for proposals also required airframers to “integrate additional weapons of the Indian air force’s choice, as required”.

Joseph Horowitz, director of business development and marketing for Rafael's air superiority directorate, confirms that the Israeli company is in the competition to arm later Indian air force aircraft. Russian industry is also pursuing potential opportunities, with the air force still evaluating its options.

30/1/2014 Ami Rojkes Dombe - israeldefense.com

Unmanned Ground Vehicles fitted with Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations are a part of the future battlefield. “Our goal is to adapt the stations to a wide range of UGV types,” says Yizhar S., in charge of land systems marketing at Rafael

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) on the battlefield are an established fact. If, until a few years ago, anyone doubted the feasibility of this technology, he should look to the Order of Battle of the US Army to understand the global trend – in 2004 the US Army had about 150 UGVs, and today their ORBAT consists of tens of thousands. For the Israeli industries, it is a developing global market. According to various forecasts, it is expected to reach a turnover of about $12 billion by 2019.

One of the derivatives of this market consists of ‘shooter’ UGVs. Admittedly, this is a problematic technology, to say the least, in terms of ethics and safety, but as far as operational aspects are concerned, a UGV fitted with a Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) is the ‘Silver Bullet’ in the eyes of many. The ability, on the one hand, to initiate offensive action, including fire, while on the other minimizing the risk to human life to zero, is attractive not only to field commanders and warfighters, but also to the politicians, who identify in this technology a breakthrough political tool.

“The development of weapon stations for UGVs is one of the objectives of Rafael’s business strategy,” says Yizhar S., in charge of land systems marketing at Rafael. “Over the last few years we gained extensive experience in this field, from a layout of stationary weapon stations on towers, which includes between four and six weapon stations controlled from a distance of several kilometers through optical fibers, to weapon stations fitted to such unmanned vehicles as the Protector USV.

“As the development processes for the sea and land theaters take place at Rafael under the same division, the knowledge we gained through the development of the Protector USV is used in the development of ground vehicles as well. Admittedly, there is a difference between the environments and the conditions under which the vehicles are operated, but as far as the aspects of steering, safety and control are concerned, both environments are similar. On land it is a little more difficult to steer the vehicle, owing to the changing terrain conditions, but we have already found solutions for these challenges.

“One should bear in mind that this technology precedes most of the world in this field. We are currently participating in one of the world’s first projects involving the mounting of a weapon station on a UGV used by IDF. In the context of this project, we examine the feasibility of arming several vehicles, commanded remotely using cameras and other sensors. It is another phase in the development of the technology, pursuant to the last five years during which the IDF have been employing stationary Sentry-Tech weapon stations.”

Adapting Weapon Stations to UGVs of Various Sizes

Another challenge Rafael is addressing calls for the dimensions of the weapon stations to be reduced so that they may fit UGVs of various sizes. “Our weapon stations are basically suitable for standard vehicles,” explains S. “For small UGVs whose load carrying capacity is limited – and most of them belong in this category – the weapon stations need to be smaller. We have an idea for the development of a station for small firearms such as a handgun, but it will be a relatively long development process. Once completed, Rafael will have a diversified range of weapon stations in various sizes, which would provide solutions for a diversified range of ground platforms at different price levels.

“As far as the technological aspect is concerned, Rafael’s advantage stems from the ability to control the weapon station and from its safety standards. We are world leaders in this field, mainly owing to the requirements of the IDF, which are a highly advanced military regarding the field of weapon stations, compared to other armed forces. Even the Americans do not rush to adopt such stations owing to the safety issue. We have passed the safety tests of the IDF for the sea environment as well as for the land environment. All that remains are technological challenges with which we would be able to cope.”

The technological complexity notwithstanding, there is still no structured regulation around the world for the field of shooter UGVs. He explains that in Europe and the US they seldom address this issue owing to the safety aspects. Asia and South America are still untapped markets for this field, so at this point there is not a lot of demand for these vehicles.

“This technology will remain the domain of very few countries in the future as well,” says Yizhar S. “The target audience for these vehicles will be relatively limited, owing to safety considerations. At the same time, as long as there is demand in the IDF, we will continue to develop this field. In the world of HLS it is not likely that shooter UGVs will enter service with police forces and we would see them on city streets. In the end, what you have here is an unmanned, armed vehicle that you want to deploy in an urban environment teeming with people. There is still a lot of apprehension around this issue.”

17.12.2013 Dr Daniel Rouach et Dr Michael Bickard, - Israel Valley

Ses diverses particularités ont permis à Israël de développer une industrie de défense parmi les plus dynamiques au monde

L’industrie israélienne de l’armement est surdimensionnée par rapport à la taille du pays et fait figure de leader mondial dans de nombreux secteurs dont la production de systèmes électroniques et électrooptiques pour l’amélioration des plates-formes militaires air, sol et mer.

Ces produits incluent par exemple le matériel de vision nocturne, les drones, les produits lasers, les systèmes de photographie aérienne ainsi que les systèmes de management des données et de communication. L’industrie militaire israélienne est cependant également présente dans d’autres secteurs, tels que la production aérospatiale et le marketing des composantes du satellite spatial « Amos 1 », la production de munitions, d’équipement militaire et de matériel de protection.

Le degré d’internationalisation de l’industrie israélienne de défense est remarquable. En effet, celle-ci réalise 80% de son chiffre d’affaire à l’exportation (contre moins de 50% pour les autres pays) ce qui explique comment Israël peut avoir une industrie de défense aussi développée par rapport à la taille de son économie.

Fort de son expérience du terrain, Israël sait mettre en valeur son savoir-faire pour conquérir des parts de marché. Le montant des exportations de l’industrie israélienne de défense avait atteint il y a sept ans 4,4 milliards de Dollars. Ce chiffre représentait 10% des ventes d’armes dans le monde. Le pays est ainsi devenu le quatrième exportateur d’armes après les Etats-Unis, la Russie et la France.

L’Inde est le premier marché d’exportation des entreprises israéliennes de défense. Le géant asiatique en plein boom économique ne fait pas face aux mêmes restrictions que son grand concurrent la Chine. Du coup, elle est devenue une cible privilégiée des exportateurs israéliens. Les ventes vers le sous-continent atteignent par an environ la somme de 2 milliards de Dollars. Autrement dit : l’Inde représente un quart de l’activité militaire israélienne – c’est-à-dire autant que ce que l’état hébreu consomme lui-même pour sa propre défense. La plus grosse vente (connue et non couverte par la censure) vers l’Inde a été celle du système naval anti-missile Barak pour 450 millions de Dollars.

Les Etats-Unis constituent un partenaire privilégié d’Israël. Les armes sont souvent co-produites, voire développées ensemble comme par exemple le système anti-missile Arrow, les missiles « Popeye » ou encore la production d’une version de l’avion de combat F16. De nombreuses synergies sont recherchées en R&D entre les deux pays. Les Etats-Unis représentent également le deuxième marché d’exportation de l’industrie israélienne de défense. (A savoir : Les Américains ont acheté en 2006 pour 1 milliard de Dollars de technologies militaires israélienne ; ce qui correspond à une multiplication par plus de 3 depuis les 300 millions de Dollars de ventes réalisées en 1999).

Le secteur est à la fois constitué d’entreprises publiques et privées. Les plus connues d’entre elles se nomment “RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd.”, “Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd.” (IAI), “Israel Military Industries Ltd.” (IMI), et “ELTA Systems Ltd.”. Le nombre d’employés par les entreprises publiques du secteur israélien de la défense a atteint des dizaine de milliers de dollars et les actifs de ces entreprises atteignaient la valeur de plusieurs milliards de dollars.

Nov. 12, 2013 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI – Defense News

NEW DELHI — India is likely to proceed with the purchase of Barak missiles from Rafael despite a probe of alleged corruption involving prime contractor Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and former Indian Defence Minister, George Fernandes, an Indian Defence Ministry source said.

India’s top weapons purchasing authority, the Defence Acquisition Council, said at a Nov. 11 meeting that it had referred the missile purchase to an internal committee for evaluation.

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had charged Fernandes in a $326 million deal involving the purchase of Barak anti missile systems from IAI, contracted in 2000. So far, the CBI has not released any findings on the probe.

But the Defence Ministry source said the CBI is likely to close the case against IAI, and described the internal inquiry is only a formality.

The Navy has been demanding the purchase of Barak missiles, but the Defence Ministry has been holding back because of the alleged kickback case. Currently, three of the Indian Navy ships that have the Barak air defense system on board have no missiles.

The Navy had given a proposal to the Defence Ministry early this year to procure about 300 Barak missiles for the warships Ranvir, Brahmaputra, Betwa and Beas at a cost of around $100 million.

The Barak under purchase is an anti-aircraft, anti-missile system with a range of 70 kilometers, a warhead of 52 kilograms and speed of Mach 2.

09 Juli 2013 Defense Studies

(PhunuToday) - Matador is a light anti-tank missiles in accordance with the task of protecting and occupying the island for the Vietnam Navy rating.

MATADOR was developed from the 2000s, to replace the outdated system ARMBRUST the Army payroll in the Republic of Singapore. After a series of memorandum and Development Cooperation light anti-tank weapons, the Republic of Singapore Army (SAF), Department of Science and Technology with 2 Singapore military defense industry corporations large Israeli Rafael and Dynamit have a project to develop a model rocket attacks shoulder to equip Guard Forces SAF and Israel.

MATADOR line of shoulder missiles kill light tank with bore sizes up to 90mm, using two types of warheads is HEAT standard attack and Hesh. This is a collaboration product from Singapore and Israel maintained military. The prototype of the missile system MATADOR shoulder of the Federal Republic of Germany ARMBRUST but is much improved and has made a remarkable mark in the anti-tank missile systems in the world shoulder.

MATADOR was developed from the 2000s, to replace the outdated system ARMBRUST the Army payroll in the Republic of Singapore. After a series of memorandum and Development Cooperation light anti-tank weapons, the Republic of Singapore Army (SAF), Department of Science and Technology with 2 Singapore military defense industry corporations large Israeli Rafael and Dynamit have a project to develop a model rocket attacks shoulder to equip Guard Forces SAF and Israel.

In some types of anti-tank missiles and shoulder armor now, MATADOR small size, light weight yet loaded with ammunition is loaded is 8.9kg and 14.2kg while. However, not so soft that it was underestimated. MATADOR is considered nearly as strong shoulder missiles smart FMG-148 "Javelin" of the United States.

With 2 main types of warheads, MATADOR can break bunker, destroy the kind of medium tanks and tank main battle (MBT) today. In addition, it can also destroy armor and troop transport vehicles for amphibious operations against the enemy, and capable of urban warfare - one of the common characteristics of weapons to Israel increased range and power on every battlefield.

Defense capability against armored vehicles, MBT, as well as the ability to completely destroy armored vehicles carrying regular troops as the M113 or the other shielded MATADOR is rated as the best among anti-tank weapons shoulder today.

Despite intense firepower but MATADOR was safe to humans because it does not generate the fallout from the jet engines of the rocket as shoulder-fired missiles and other not affect the use of the name Fire was launched.

With the ability to use high-pressure explosive warhead, dual shot mode passive target, MATADOR can use bullets to kill Hesh urban decay shoot any wall, whether it is permanent nowhere. After penetrating the wall, bullets explode inside creating a very strong destructive power. To break the bunker type, normally, people would use explosive anti-tank warhead HEAT. When the first bullet was lodged into the wall, the sensor system on the rocket will explode and destroy targets.

One other plus points of MATADOR is that it does not need a large space for the fuel to the rocket exhaust as many different types of shoulder-fired missiles that just a narrow space, may be shielded from the walls at a distance ly 5m was able to fire attacks.

Some improved version now allows to fire missiles from any location and any public space. This is one of the brightest features of urban warfare MATADOR, making it versatile attack but still achieve very high power.

To achieve this, the MATADOR tubes using special resin called SHP, is resistant to the excess fuel ejected from the rocket launchers behind. It will keep the dust and smoke from the engine and reduces low energy from the rear, to help ensure the safety of the troops and weapons, ammunition behind. In addition, SHP classes also ensure the safety of regional anti-tank rocket launchers and not discharged materials or toxic substances in the process of firing missiles.

MATADOR is kind of viewfinder is very precise reflex viewfinder multidimensional combination with electronic devices to increase magnification. The version used in Vietnam using the viewfinder of NVD, equipped with Picatinny slot, typically used on heavy weapons. Viewfinder has the ability to change between the 3 modes and flexible in terms of daylight, at night with infrared aiming system and ultimately aiming system with thermal imaging. Heat aiming system proved very useful in night conditions and do not have a clear vision and can hit targets very accurately.

Used in the fighting in Gaza with Hamas forces, MATADOR has made repeated Hamas military Shedding for the HEAT rocket and Hesh when it destroyed a series of armored vehicles and fortifications in Gaza.

MATADOR family, variations MATADOR-WB is designed for specialized tasks destroyed walls, fortifications in the metropolitan area. MATADOR-AS variant is equipped with advanced warheads double-dose, high-explosive effect to destroy the fortifications and inner vitality, slow explosion effects to destroy armored vehicles.

The technical characteristics of light anti-tank missiles are very suitable for Vietnam troops that particular type of naval deployment to protect the island or coastal areas against attack landings enemy.

(PhunuToday)