Canadian Military Shopping Blue and White?
Av 14, 5770, 25 July 10 11:27
by Hana Levi Julian
The HeronIsrael news photo: Flash 90
(Israelnationalnews.com) A Canadian military commander toured an Israeli Air Force base last week while holding talks with Israel's top military brass with the apparent intention of buying Israeli-made unmanned aircraft (UAV).
Canadian Air Force Commander Lt.-Gen. Andre Deschamp, hosted by IAF Commander Gen. Ido Neuchushtan, discussed the merits and disadvantages of Israel's latest generation of unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs), the Heron. “Links between the IAF and the Canadian Air Force are extremely important and therefore it was an excellent opportunity for me to visit here,” the Canadian commander told reporters. “I learned a lot.”
UAV operators recently had a chance to put the IAF's most advanced such aircraft – Israel Aircraft Industry's (IAI) Eitan, also known as the Heron TP -- into operation near Gaza.
Deschamp also met with Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Gantz, as well as other senior officers of the IDF, and Israel Aircraft Industries, who briefed him on intelligence, strategies and IAF operational issues.
Among the stops on the Canadian commander's tour was the Tel Nof air force base, where he reviewed a squadron of the new Eitan (Heron TP).
The Eitan, which was officially launched this past February, can stay in the air for 24 hours at a time, and is able to reach as far as Iran, according to the IDF spokesperson.
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Israel, US to Develop 'Arrow 3' Missile Defense System
Av 14, 5770, 25 July 10 09:18
by Maayana Miskin
Testing the ArrowIsrael news photo: Flash 90
(Israelnationalnews.com) Israel's Defense Ministry and the United States Department of Defense signed a deal Sunday to develop the Arrow 3 missile system. The Arrow system was built to intercept ballistic missiles.
The Arrow 3 is expected to be able to intercept ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction at more than 100 kilometers above the earth's surface – beyond the boundary between earth's atmosphere and outer space.
The US has supported Israel's development of the Arrow system for more than two decades. The latest stage in development is expected to cost approximately $100 million, and to take two to three years to complete.
Sunday's agreement was signed by Brigadier-General Ofir Shoham, head of the Ministry of Defense MAFAT Research and Development, and by Lieutenant-General Patrick O'Reilly, head of the US Missile Defense Agency.
The ability to intercept missiles at great distances is intended to reduce the danger if the weapon is bearing a biological or chemical warhead. In addition, it allows for an additional response if the first Arrow misses its target.
The system will face its first test in early 2011. Its creators hope it will be fully operational by 2012.
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