The Israel Navy recently signed a deal for the supply of new radar systems with Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1) subsidiary Elta Systems. The radar systems will be installed on the Navy's Saar 4.5 class missile corvettes.
The deal, drawn up a few months ago, was disclosed at a special IAI presentation yesterday. The presentation unveiled military technologies for improving performance in the maritime arena for the protection of economic interests, such as gas rigs in the Mediterranean, and the monitoring of terrorist ships and unidentified vessels. The presentation was held ahead of next week's Euronaval 2012 exhibition and conference at Le Bourget, which will cover maritime defense systems.
Smaller versions Elta's new Alpha radars will be installed on the Navy ships, but one system per ship will be enough to provide the Navy with a range of maritime capabilities. The radar will also improve the Navy's ability to defend gas rigs.
Parties involved in the deal say that the lightweight radars will be installed on Navy ships over the next two years. "The decision to procure the Elta radars is further recognition of our ability to provide the IDF with better technology and operational systems compared with corresponding systems in the world," said IAI CEO Joseph Weiss. "This is a further link in the company's tradition of providing Israel with a system that meets its relevant defense needs."
State-of-the-art maritime UAV
At Euronaval, IAI plans to unveil maritime applications of its Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The company will try to sell these UAVs to countries with maritime interests to protect sensitive infrastructures, as well as for routine operations, including monitoring and interdiction of ships carrying illegal immigrants. These capabilities are made possible thanks to the Heron's range of payloads, including state-of-the-art maritime radar, which can cover wide areas during the UAV's 24-hour endurance.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 15, 2012
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