The radar being towed by a vehicle (Photo: Leonardo DRS)
For the first time: The Ministry of Defense is purchasing air defense radars not from IAI but from the Israeli Rada, which was purchased by the American Leonardo DRS. The radars will be manufactured at a factory in Beit She'an, which now belongs to the American company that acquired Rada a year ago in a share swap, at a valuation of $775 million.
These are mobile, advanced radars that can be placed on a vehicle or trailer in order to quickly move them from place to place, or to use them to protect a maneuvering force. This is a short-range radar that, according to foreign reports, can detect missiles, drones, mortar shells, drones, helicopters and aircraft. According to the company's publications, it can locate the latter from a distance of 100-200 km, while rockets, mortar shells and drones can be detected from a distance of 18-24 km.
Mobility improves radar protection and allows it to join maneuvering forces (Photo: Leonardo DRS)
16 units of RADA's radar have been purchased in recent months for Ukraine, with funding raised in Lithuania. This is to provide its citizens with a warning of Russian attacks, which will give them time to defend themselves, and the Ukrainian military time to try to intercept the threats.
Sources in the defense industries estimate that the value of the deal is about NIS 7 million, not a large sum but one that could grow in the future.
To date, the Ministry of Defense has purchased radars from Rada only as part of the Arrow Spur system for protecting armored vehicles, which is currently installed in armored personnel carriers that come off the production line. Air defense radars, such as the MMR used by the Iron Dome and the Artillery Corps, were purchased by the Ministry of Defense only from Elta, which also supplied radars to Navy ships.
"We are very proud to continue our support of the IDF by providing advanced and life-saving capabilities," said Dov Sela, senior vice president and CEO of DRS Rada Industries. "This award is another opportunity to take part in protecting the skies of the state, the civilian population and security forces throughout Israel."
- money
Tags
- Radar
- Israel Aerospace Industries