Israeli defense cos unveil new products in Eurosatory 2014

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Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) will unveil its armored combat vehicle, which has a top speed of 150 km/h; Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1) will unveil a new tactical radar that provides early warning of incoming fire to troops in the field; and Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) will unveil its jeep-carried precision mortar with a cannon with a 40-kilometer range. Nearly 50 Israeli defense companies will seek their share of countries’ military procurement budgets as they present their wares at the Eurosatory 2014 arms expo in Paris this week.

The Israeli pavilion, established by SIBAT – Ministry of Defense International Defense Cooperation Authority, is one of the largest at the prestigious arms exhibition. The 1, 500-square meter pavilion will host at least 30 companies. In addition to providing a glimpse at the latest developments by Israel’s land warfare companies, their off-the-shelf products already make it possible to describe the future battlefield: much less fire, but which is far more accurate and lethal; smaller special forces operating completely independently in combat zones; battles with terrorist organizations concealed among civilians in urban areas; and, most of all, a technological environment that provides the troops with masses of real-time intelligence to close on targets and destroy them to decide the battle quickly.

“Contemporary terrorist threats require military forces in the world to use solutions for dealing with asymmetrical warfare in urban areas, and Israeli companies offer a wide range of solutions, ” says SIBAT director Brig.-Gen. (res.) Shmaya Avieli.

The continuous fighting by the IDF against terrorist organizations, and the frequent clashes in urban areas are among the explanations for the capability of Israeli companies in precision weapons and warning and discovery systems. “The exhibition isn’t even open yet, and we already have a very long list of military representatives who have scheduled personal meetings, merely on the basis of the announcements about what we will display there, ” Elbit Systems president and CEO Bezhalel Machlis told “Globes”.

80% of Elbit Systems’ production is exported. Despite the extensive cutbacks in defense budgets around the world, the company is convinced that a customer will pay handsomely for a relevant product that meets both a proven battlefield need while delivering substantial cost savings. “The market is changing in terms of both threats and budgets, and this exhibition is an important opportunity to reveal relevant concepts that have passed the necessary adjustments, ” says Machlis.

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IAI challenges Elbit Systems on land

Elbit Systems is a veteran in the land warfare business. Until now, its rivalry with IAI was mostly for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). If this fierce competition for UAV contracts around the world were not enough, in the coming years, the rivalry between two companies will heat up further following IAI’s efforts to gain a foothold in the land warfare systems business. This effort was highlighted by the appointment of Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eyal Ben-Reuven as IAI Land Systems chief coordinator a few weeks ago.

IAI executives say that the target is for land systems to generate a quarter of the company’s revenue within ten years. “The land battlefield is growing stronger, and we are giving it, strategically, a central place in our activity, ” says IAI president and CEO Joseph Weiss. “We don’t just sell products; but complete solutions on the basis of our cumulative comprehensive knowhow, which in some cases in unique in the world.”

IAI’s efforts include showing possible foreign customers visiting its Eurosatory pavilion a system for immediately and accurately hitting multiple targets at varying ranges, state-of-the-art communications network security systems for forces in the field, including cyber protection, and more. “Outstanding technologies we’ve amassed in different fields in the past are being adapted, such as our new Green Rock radar that provides tactical protection for forces in the field from incoming rocket, artillery and mortar fire. This system meets the needs of all forces undertaking routine combat low-intensity operations. It is based on larger radar systems that IAI developed in the past, ” says Ben-Reuven.

IMI, for which land systems is its natural environment, plans to surprise with its newly developed intriguing armored fighting vehicle – the Bodyguard, which carries a small number of troops to a variety of battlefields.

“For us, Eurosatory is primarily an event to be seen at. Precisely because defense budgets are shrinking in the world, we’re offering more products. An exhibition of this size is one of many marketing venues, ” says IMI CEO Avi Felder. “We don’t count the orders or summarize the total deals at the end of the exhibition, because that not how it works. This isn’t a bazaar where you come to look, buy, and take home. We operate here for the long term, by showcasing some of our many products that meet the latest needs of the world’s armies.”

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., which established a land combat systems division as part of a restructuring last year, will again proudly display its Iron Dome system at the Eurosatory. It will also display its integrated control system for Spike missiles remote controlled firing platforms. Various versions of the Spike tactical missile are used by dozens of Western armies.

As for defense cuts, Rafael VP Land Combat Systems Giora Katz says, “There has been an improvement in procurement budgets in some places. I think that there is a window of opportunity for change in view of various events in the world and economic recovery in some countries. We cannot rule out that some countries took their belt-tightening too far in the past few years and we’ll see higher defense procurements in the next couple of years.”

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Eight Israeli systems at the Eurosatory

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Bodyguard – IMI

An armored fighting vehicle that can carry six infantrymen to a variety of battlefields. According to IMI, its armor protects it from a range of threats, including gunfire, shockwaves, mines, and IEDs. IMI says that it has high maneuverability over rocks, terraces, and other obstacles up to 80 centimeters high, can transverse mud and sand and even canals up to 1.50 meters deep. It can reach speeds of 150 km/h on paved roads and 120 km/h on dirt roads.

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Green Rock – IAI

This is a mobile tactical radar system to protect ground forces in a variety of operations areas. IAI subsidiary Elta Systems says that the system can identify incoming rocket, artillery, and mortar fire, movement of UAVs and paragliders and warn the troops. The system identifies the source of the fire to enable precision counterfire. The radar can be deployed at exposed outposts or on top of a small vehicle four routine operations, such as patrols along hot borders.

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Hanit – Elbit Systems

A fully automated 120-mm mortar system. This is a modular system that can precisely fire bombs and can be installed a variety of vehicles, including jeeps and hummers. These capabilities expand the system’s mobility to meet the needs of special forces in a variety of combat theaters. The company says that the system is lighter than comparable systems, can be moved from place to place with the forces, expanding their firepower to the enemy’s rear.

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SkyStar 100 – RT Ltd.

The SkyStar is a compact, light, and mobile tactical observation balloon. It can be deployed within 15 minutes in the area of operations to gather real-time intelligence in areas that cannot be observed from the ground, such as behind hills. The system can be carried and operated by just two infantrymen, after brief training. It carries a day and night camera, communications systems, and photoreconnaissance systems.

HMV – G-Nius Ltd.

The unmanned hybrid multipurpose vehicle (HMV) is used for observation and intelligence gathering missions. It is the latest of hybrid unmanned vehicles developed by G-Nius, a joint venture of IAI and Elbit Systems. The HMV uses a quiet electric motor for silent running to prevent the discovery of the troops. It can also be operated with a hybrid electric-diesel motor to extend its range and increase payload. The HMV has an advanced weapons station designed by Elbit Systems.

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Orbiter 2B – Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd.

The innovative Orbiter 2B is a mini UAV based on Aeronautics’ oldest UAV, the Orbiter 2, which is operated in 20 countries worldwide. The company says that the new mini UAV has undergone several upgrades, most importantly in its communications systems, software, and missions. The company says that the Orbiter 2B can fly without GPS from takeoff to landing, and undertake missions normally – an advantage in future warfare when some countries will reportedly have GPS-disruption capability. The UAV can operate in all weather conditions, has a range of 75 kilometers, and can self-destruct if it crashes in enemy territory.

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Trophy LV – Rafael

The Trophy LV is the latest application of the tank anti-missile and RPG defense system. It is smaller and lighter version that can be installed on jeeps and similar vehicles carrying out patrol operations in areas with missile threats. The Trophy is installed on IDF Mervaka Mk. 4 tanks, and is considered a breakthrough missile interception system.

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HSF armor – Plasan Sasa Ltd.

Plasan Sasa, owned by Kibbutz Sasa, is unveiling its latest armor kit developed to defend tanks and other vehicles from RPGs. In contrast to other armor kits on the market, the company says that its hybrid slat fence (HSF) armor is lightweight, allowing it to be installed quickly over vehicle windows and other vulnerable parts of vehicles operating in combat zones, while keeping maximum convenience for crews. Pasan Sasa has patented the HSF armor.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news – www.globes-online.com