Iran Could Produce a Nuclear Bomb in Six Months
Tammuz 23, 5769, 15 July 09 02:56
by Yehudah Lev Kay(Israelnationalnews.com) Iran can produce a nuclear bomb within six months, according to the German Intelligence Agency (BND). “If they want to, [the Iranians] will be able to set off a uranium bomb within six months,” an agency source told the German weekly Stern.
The source said that the BND has “no doubt” that Iran’s nuclear program is aimed “exclusively” at enriching uranium to produce nuclear weapons. The German agency estimates, however, that it will take Iran three years to produce suitable ballistic missiles to deliver nuclear warheads.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran has enriched over 1.3 tons of uranium with 7,000 centrifuges at its Natanz plant, enough for one or two nuclear bombs.
The German news agency DPA expressed caution at the report, quoting experts who said Iran would have to throw out IAEA inspectors in order to further enrich the uranium and create a nuclear device.
“You cannot [make a weapon] in Natanz without the IAEA knowing about it,” a diplomat said. Another diplomatic source closely monitoring the situation in Iran said he would be “surprised” if Tehran could develop a nuclear weapon in such a short amount of time.
The BND has so far declined to comment officially on the report.
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Israel forfeits edge? - agrees to F-35's without Israeli technology
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 15 July 2009
Makor Rishon correspondent Danny Shalom reports in today's edition that
after over a year of negotiations Israel decided to accept that the F-35's
supplied to Israel not be equipped with Israeli technology that would give
the aircraft an edge over the same jets should they be supplied to the
Arabs.
The equipment included Israeli electronic warfare equipment and weapons.
The American did, however, agree to provide Israel limited access to the jet's
system software.
Shalom explains that while the F-15 and F-16 has a number of computers on
board so that changing or adding a system does not involve a central
computer, the F-35 operates with a central computer handling all systems,
thus any change has to be reflected in the software of the central
computer - with all the system tests etc. that go with it.
Israel wanted to include a system that allows for data communications
between planes and with ground control but the manufacturer said that the
system would only be added if all the costs of integrating it into the jet
were borne by Israel.
The manufacturer wanted to charge Israel $125 million a jet instead of $80
million for adding the Israeli technology.
Israel also wanted to add Israeli Python 5 Air to Air Missiles that are
superior to the American Sidewinders but the Americans refused to permit the
introduction of the competing equipment.
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 15 July 2009
Makor Rishon correspondent Danny Shalom reports in today's edition that
after over a year of negotiations Israel decided to accept that the F-35's
supplied to Israel not be equipped with Israeli technology that would give
the aircraft an edge over the same jets should they be supplied to the
Arabs.
The equipment included Israeli electronic warfare equipment and weapons.
The American did, however, agree to provide Israel limited access to the jet's
system software.
Shalom explains that while the F-15 and F-16 has a number of computers on
board so that changing or adding a system does not involve a central
computer, the F-35 operates with a central computer handling all systems,
thus any change has to be reflected in the software of the central
computer - with all the system tests etc. that go with it.
Israel wanted to include a system that allows for data communications
between planes and with ground control but the manufacturer said that the
system would only be added if all the costs of integrating it into the jet
were borne by Israel.
The manufacturer wanted to charge Israel $125 million a jet instead of $80
million for adding the Israeli technology.
Israel also wanted to add Israeli Python 5 Air to Air Missiles that are
superior to the American Sidewinders but the Americans refused to permit the
introduction of the competing equipment.
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
Elbit Systems to Build New F-16 Trainer
Reported: 14:18 PM - Jul/15/09
(IsraelNN.com) Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems has been chosen by the IDF to build a new F-16 trainer for the air force. The project will stretch over a period of 15 years and is worth $55 million.
“We’re proud that the IDF has chosen us and certain that Elbit’s rich experience in air trainers and UAVs will give the IDF the best possible solution,” Elbit executive Ron Helerstein said.
Israel to test Arrow system off US coast
Jul. 15, 2009
JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST
JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST
An Arrow 2 missile test.
Israel and the US will hold a joint test of the Arrow missile over the Pacific Ocean in what will be the first trial of the system with a target with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, further than the test sites over the Mediterranean could allow.
According to a US defense official quoted by Reuters, the test, which will take place sometime in the coming days off of the coast of central California, will be the third trial of the Arrow conducted by Israel in the United States. He said the Federal Aviation Administration had warned aircraft to stay clear of the area.
Israel is "limited to the range of the missile they can test in the eastern Mediterranean. There's a safety issue," US Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly, the director of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, was quoted by Reuters as saying. "That's the primary purpose of them coming to the United States to use our test range."
O'Rielly added that the test would also afford "the opportunity to have the Patriot system, the THAAD system and the Aegis system all interacting with the Arrow system so that we're demonstrating full interoperability as we execute this test."
The unnamed US official also said that although the test would be carried out under American auspices and would make use of the "sensor assets" of US missile systems, it was still mainly Israel's test.
In April, the Israel Air Force conducted its 17th test of the newly upgraded Arrow 2 missile. Officials said it was capable of intercepting an Iranian nuclear missile.
April's test was the first time a modified version of the Arrow 2 was launched and operated in conjunction with a new and more advanced model of the Green Pine radar system.
The high-powered American X-Band radar, deployed in the Negev Desert in late 2008 as a farewell gift from then-US president George W. Bush, also participated in the test and tracked the incoming target.
The test was conducted jointly by the IAF and the US Missile Defense Agency. Israel Aerospace Industries is developing the Arrow in cooperation with Boeing.
In May, The Jerusalem Post reported that the US will provide the full funding for the development and production of the next-generation Arrow 3 anti-missile system.
The Arrow 3 will be a longer-range version of the Arrow defense system currently in IDF operation. It will be capable of intercepting incoming enemy missiles at higher altitudes and farther away from Israel.
Yaakov Katz contributed to this report
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