Israel put up another strong display of offerings across defence and homeland security applications at DefExpo 2014
At DefExpo 2014, Israel highlighted its continuing defence cooperation with India that has been growing from strength to strength. Twenty one Israeli defence companies were present at the show this year under the auspices of SIBAT which manages the marketing and sale of Israel’s entire defence inventory that is released by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD).
According to Brig. Gen. (IAF, Retd.) Shmaya Avieli, director of SIBAT, “Israel and India are both facing similar challenges regarding prevention of terror threats, the defence of national borders, and internal security. The operational capacity of Israeli technologies meets India’s defence needs. Israel considers India as a partner and ally in the Global War on Terrorism.”
With numerous contracts in the offing, Israeli companies were fortified before the show itself with the government’s decision in December last year to go ahead with orders for additional Barak-1 missiles for the Indian Navy. The contract for an additional 262 missiles is valued at Rs 880 crore (approximately USD 140 million). In another success for Israeli companies, it was announced last month that the Indian Air Force (IAF) would be acquiring 250 Rafael ‘Spice’ precision bombing kits. According to Rafael, “Spice guidance kits convert 1000 lb and 2000 lb general purpose and penetration warheads into precision stand-off strike weapons”. It offers a stand-off range of 60 km with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of three metres and 100 selectable missions can be programme per weapon. Information on both these systems was available during the show and the Israeli companies with the largest display areas were Rafael, IAI and Elbit Systems and Israel Weapon Industries (IWI).
Rafael
Rafael Advanced Defence Systems showcased a comprehensive suite of Land, Air & Naval combat systems designed to address current and future battlefield challenges. Rafael has been successful in bagging a number of key contracts with the Indian armed forces. Rafael’s combat-proven systems provide forces with the necessary fire power, lethality, survivability and manoeuvrability in the combat arena.
Amongst the advanced defence solutions that Rafael had on display were its offerings under Integrated Air and Missile Defence Systems such as IRON DOME combat proven active defence system against Short Range Artillery Rockets, SPYDER SR/MR family of Short and Medium Range Air Defence systems, PYTHON-5 full sphere air-to-air IR missile and DERBY Beyond visual range air-to-air missile which have both been selected for use on the indigenous Tejas LCA. The company also showcased its land systems through a multimedia display.
Under Electro Optic and Communication Systems, on display at the show were the RECCELITE real-time ISR system, LITENING airborne Targeting and Navigation Pod, IMILITE multi-source, Multi-Task Imagery Exploitation System, BNET FAMILY broadband MANET IP Software Defined Radio (SDR) and TACMAX tactical WiMAX Network. FORCE was also given a demo on the SPIKE TEAM TRAINER which provides tactical training for a SPIKE combat team (See Box Piece).
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