Israeli defense export reach record - US & India are the largest customers

[Ren987]

Defense exports reach record

For the first time, the US is Israel's largest defense customer.
Ran Dagoni, Washington 28 May 08 16:08

"Defense News" reports that Israel's defense companies signed contracts worth $5.6 billion in 2007 - an all-time high for the country's defense exports. According to the Ministry of Defense SIBAT - Foreign Defense Assistance and Defense Export Organization, and the ministry's Armaments R&D Administration, last year's sales were $700 million greater than the $4.87 billion in 2006, the previous record.

"Defense News" quotes SIBAT director general Yossi Ben Hanan as saying that Israel's defense exports had totaled $11 billion in the past two years.

He said that this was an amazing achievement for a small country that does not manufacture large platforms. The achievement underscored Israel's added value for the defense and aerospace markets and made the country one of the world's top four arms suppliers.

Ben-Hannan said the trade gives a valuable boost to Israel's economy. Every billion dollars in new contracts creates another 20,000 jobs, he said.

SIBAT noted that, for the first time, the US was Israel's largest arms customer, signing contracts worth $1.5 billion in 2007, $400 million more than in 2006. Israel's top defense exporter to the US last year was Plasan Sasa Ltd. (http://www.plasansasa.com/), a manufacturer of armor add-on kits for vehicles, which had $800 million in sales to the US.

Elbit Systems Ltd. (http://www.elbit.co.il/) (Nasdaq: ESLT (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:viewInstrument%28%27ESLT%27,11,%27EN%27%29); TASE: ESLT (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:viewInstrument%28%271081124%27,45,%27EN%27%29)) was in second place with $700 million in US sales, mostly through its Fort Worth subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America LLC. As a US company, it is not included in SIBAT's list.
India was Israel's second largest defense customer, with $800 million worth of new procurement contracts in 2007.

Israel exports mostly radar systems, drones and anti-tank missiles to India, Turkey, Britain, the United States and other countries.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com (http://www.globes-online.com/) - on May 28, 2008

[ase290406]

Well we all deserve to hear good news from time to time. Esspecially India is a rising power, and we need all the freinds we can get.

[kahn267]

Israel is the best
Got to love the US and Israel relationship!

[Orbiter]

Developing strategic partnership with India is the best thing Israel can do for his future

[IDF_TANKER]

http://www.defense-update.com/covers/cover_large/heron_tn.jpg

http://www.defense-update.com/images_new1/iaf_uav.jpg

http://www.defense-update.com/images_new1/iaf_eitan_payload.jpg

Heron TP Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) (http://www.defense-update.com/products/e/eitan-UAV.htm)made progress in Europe recently, being endorsed by leading industries in Europe as a recommended platform for major intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance missions. Yesterday IAI and the German Rheinmetall Defense Company signed a cooperation agreement to pursue opportunities in theGerman market, while last week, a group of French and Spanish industries proposed the Heron TP to fulfill similar roles in the service of French and Spanish militaries.

Israel Aerospace Industries and Rheinmetall Defence signed today (June 2, 2008) in Israel a cooperation agreement to jointly market IAI's Heron TP unmanned aerial system in Germany. The cooperation targets the German Federal Defense Forces (Bundeswehr) SAATEG UAV program planned for initial deployment as early as 2010, introducing a persistent reconnaissance gathering platform to operate in theater, in support of German and NATO deployed forces. According to the agreement, IAI will provide the UAV system, while Rheinmetall will be responsible for the mission control system, logistic support and networking and interfacing with other command and control systems. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) will be operating these systems, under its 51 aerial reconnaissance wing to operate from Jagel Air Base. The unit is expected to operate the Euro Hawk, a Global Hawk (http://www.defense-update.com/products/g/globalhawk_rq4b.htm) derivative designed to address NATO's SIGINT requirements. While controlled from Jagel, the unmanned aircraft could be deployed overseas, including Mazar-e Sharif in Afghanistan, from where they will be able to support ISAF operations in theater. EuroHawk is being developed by EuroHawk GmbH, a joint venture between EADS and Northrop Grumman. The company was awarded €430 million to develop, build and fly the first demonstrator by 2010. Unlike the EuroHawk focus on SIGINT, the platform selected for SAATEG will be equipped primarily with high resolution electro-optical payloads. The plan calls for five UAVs to be procured for an initial capability. Sofar the Luftwaffe's SAATEG plans where endorsed by General Atomics, teaming wit Diehl BGT Defence. The IAI/Rheinmetall Defence team claims that the Heron TP is meeting all the SAATEG criteria in its current form. TheHeron TP has been developed at IAI to address the requirements of the Israel Air Force and tose made by several international air forces. Several systems are already completed and tested and the entire system is ready for serial production.
While the Predator B (Reaper) (http://www.defense-update.com/products/p/predatorb.htm) is already operational with U.S. and British Royal Air Force in Afghanistan (http://www.defense-update.com/newscast/1107/news/081107_reaper.htm), the Heron TP could evolve as a strong competitor, particularly in Europe, following the support of major European companies including Dassault Aviation, Thales and Indra, to the Heron TP platform. Last week (May 22, 2008) the industry team submitted a proposal to the French and Spanish ministries of defence, establishing MALE UAV capability to be developed within the framework of Franco-Spanish cooperation. This capability to be based on Heron TP platforms, would match the operational needs of both countries, and allow the supply to both Armed Forces of long endurance UAVs for theatre surveillance by the end of 2012.
The Heron TP was unveiled last year at the Paris Air Show (http://www.defense-update.com/events/2007/summary/parisairshow07uav.htm). (below)
http://www.defense-update.com/images_new/Paris07_Eitan.jpg

[[MakkabI]]

That's awesome...

USA & Israel & Australia forever :)

[crush6655]

;3290707']That's awesome...

USA & Israel & Australia forever :)
You got a lovely country, so many friends said that, hope to visit soon :)

[Calanen]

You got a lovely country, so many friends said that, hope to visit soon :)

You should. Plenty of Jewish people in Bondi and Dover Heights near where I live. I grew up in Dover Heights.

[Adux]

Israel and India do have the common Enemy.

[Sarcasm]

Pleasant news