Defense Technology International - October 2007 - (Page 8) AROUND THE WORLD NEWS BRIEFS IDF GOES SHOPPING Israel will spend $60 billion between 2008 and 2012 in a procurement plan that calls for substantially upgraded land, sea and air forces. The plan—Tefen 2012—was presented on Sept. 3, by Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel Defense Forces chief of general staff. Highlights include plans to field hundreds of new Merkava Mk4 tanks, heavy armored personnel fighting vehicles, command-and-control elements and unmanned systems. Merkava tanks and the Namer, a new tracked infantry fighting vehicle (see item below), will receive active protection systems, enhancing survivability against anti-tank threats. A decision to go with Rafael’s Trophy system or Israel Military Industries’ Iron Fist will be made soon. A major investment is expected for missile defense, notably in the enhanced Arrow Mk3 ballistic missile interceptor, aimed at Iran’s growing threat. Also funded will be the Magic Wand mediumrange missile interceptor, under development with the U.S. To defend against Qassam rockets, IDF seeks accelerated development of Rafael’s Iron Cap counter-rocket, artillery and mortar system. Tefen 2012 confirms, for the first time, plans to buy up to 100 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters. The navy will procure two Littoral Combat Ships from Lockheed Martin. They will probably be command ships for two naval task forces, combining surface and subsurface elements. The ships will mount advanced air-defense systems, probably derivatives of the IsraeliIndian Barak-8 program. I ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES NAMER: SUPER IFV The Israel Defense Forces will fund pilot production of 15 Namer tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) next year, and buy several hundred eventually for elite infantry brigades. The goal of the program, first announced in July, is to provide troops with protection and mobility matching that of the Merkava Mk4 tank. Several versions of the Namer (“leopard”) are planned: an IFV that carries 11 including two crew; a repair and medevac vehicle to replace the M-113, and a weapons carrier with 30-mm. automatic cannon and missiles. The design is based on a Merkava Mk4 tank chassis. Armor includes an active protection system. Initial vehicles will use upgraded AVDS 1790 engines from Merkava Mk1 tanks to accelerate fi elding. A final decision on the power plant comes next year. The IDF is evaluating two engine makers—Continental Motors, producer of the AVDS, and MTU, which makes the 833 engine for the Merkava Mk4. The fully networked Namer will have an ergonomic driver’s compartment, with large vision blocks, electro-optical viewing devices and at least four video cameras for unobstructed peripheral views. The vehicle will be armed with Rafael’s Mini-Samson remote weapon station with multi-sensor target-acquisition systems. I ISRAEL MILITARY INDUSTRIES UN EYES SWEDISH UAV The first customer for Saab’s new Skeldar vertical takeoff and landing UAV rotorcraft may be the United Nations, if the organization’s Peacekeeping Operations Dept. (DPKO) accepts a proposal the Swedish company is preparing in response to a request for information. The DPKO seeks an industry partner to provide a turnkey tactical UAV, including operators and supSAAB CONCEPT port, for upcoming operations, says Carl-Johan Koivisto, Saab’s director for corporate strategy and business development. Saab offers a container-based solution that comprises two Skeldar vehicles with mission-planning and control systems, but it expects competition from U.S. and European suppliers. The U.N.’s information request could evolve into a formal procurement or service contract linked to the peacekeeping operation in Darfur, which will replace African Union troops, Koivisto says. Skeldar operates with a high degree of autonomy. It can be used for damage assessment, search and rescue, surveillance, tracking of vehicles or vessels, photography and reconnaissance. I www.aviationweek.com/dti 8 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2007 http://www.aviationweek.com/dti
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