Asian Defence News: IDF

September 4, 2017

Indian Navy received 1st missile jointly developed with Israel

The LRSAM, or Barak-8 naval air defense system, is jointly developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in close collaboration with Israel's Israel Aircraft Industry (IAI).

The LRSAM is an advanced air and missile defense system, a unique joint development by IAI and India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with IAI subsidiary ELTA, RAFAEL and various Indian companies.

The system comprises of advanced phased-array radar, command and control systems, as well as launchers and missiles with advanced RF seekers. With state-of-the-art technology, the system provides missile defense against a variety of aerial, naval and air-borne threats.

The system is operational with the IDF, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and according to a statement released by IAI, will be operational in the near future with the Indian Army as well.

India’s Minister of Defense Arun Jaitley called the delivery of the system “a historical day for India” in which the Indian Navy has become “the proud owners of one the most sophisticated systems in the world.”

Jaitley praised the collaborative effort of developing the LRSAM and said that the delivery of the first missile “coming out from indigenous production line is an example of the Indian economy and industry capabilities. We must continue developing the local infrastructure and manufacturing as part of our defense capabilities.”

“India needs to be prepared for any scenario therefore we should equip our operational forces with the best of advanced technology,” he added.

IAI has been working with the Indian defense industries and armed forces, such as the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Army for the past 25 years. The partnership is part of a strategic collaboration to transfer technology to benefit Indians as part of New Dehli’s ‘Made in India’ policy.

Boaz Levi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group stated that "the delivery of the first missile manufactured in India to India's defense arms is a technological dream come true. It is another exciting step in the many-years collaboration between IAI, India's government, India's DRDO and other partners and one that reflects a technological and engineering effort of the highest level."

India has become one of Israel’s largest buyers of military hardware. While visiting Israel in May, Indian Rear-Admiral R.B. Pandit said that India has “benefited from defense technologies, and a number of significant defense acquisitions have been made from Israel.”

He made specific reference to the Barak-8 missile system, which he said “provides the Indian Navy new and greater air-defense capabilities.”

Over the past few years, IAI has awarded several contracts for air and missile defense systems to India, including a string of deals worth $2.5 billion in recent months. In April IAI announced that it had been awarded the largest defense contract in Israel’s defense industry history after signing a $1.6 billion mega-contract with the Indian Army for the medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) advanced air and missile defense systems as well as additional LRSAM air and missile defense systems for Indian aircraft carriers.

July 10, 2017

IDF to use robots instead of llamas to carry equipment on battlefield

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.800370?v=201F04753B7C2D4A284519E2512F5DD5

Israeli army infantry units will receive an experimental deployment of robots in September to carry some of their field equipment, a task previously performed by llamas.
The Israel Defense Forces has no plans currently to arm these robots, but this could happen at a later stage.
The new robots, called infantry robotic porters, are made in Israel and can carry up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of water, food, ammunition, etc. They can also be used to evacuate wounded soldiers from a war zone.

Llamas were previously used to carry equipment, including during the Second Lebanon War, but in subsequent years it was decided to stop using them after complaints they were holding the soldiers back.
The IDF claims the new robots will function on rough terrain and be controlled remotely. In the future, these robots may navigate independently. They can travel at speeds of 5 to 10 kilometers (3 to 6 miles) per hour, but soldiers will be able to adjust the speed to match their own pace. The robots are powered by batteries, which can operate for up to eight hours without being recharged.

The robotic porters have already participated in battalion and regimental exercises. They will be deployed in infantry units on a trial basis “in order to study their capabilities,” says an officer in a technology unit involved in such matters.