21 May 2007
The first photos of Israel's "secret, large-payload, unmanned aircraft-capable of carrying air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles for at least a day--," have been leaked. The UAV is called the Heron II, Eitan and Machatz II. Its payload includes an Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI)-manufactured Elta radar-warning receiver, which will allow the UAV "to identify and respond immediately to new emitters in the combat area-especially those associated with air defenses or battlefield ballistic missiles." Other characteristics of the UAV include: "active electronically scanned radar for high-resolution, long-range surveillance, an advanced infrared seeker to track a boosting missile and enough computing power to discriminate between the exhaust plume and missile body during the last seconds of the interception." Israel is considering using the new UAV in intelligence-gathering and surveillance missions, internal carriage of advanced, air-to-air missiles, carriage of air-to-ground missiles, and aerial tankers.
--David A. Fulgham, "Israel's Secret UAV: Unauthorized Pictures of IAI's new, weapons-carrying UAV finally surface," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 21 May 2007.

1 June 2007
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee recently proposed providing "$60 million increased funding to aid partnership programs with Israel." $25 million is slated for the co-production of the Arrow theater ballistic missile defense system, which Israel Aerospace Industries is producing; $10 million will go toward a study of whether the Theatre High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system would be suitable to follow Israel's Arrow system; and $25 million would go to the joint development of a short-range ballistic missile defense system for Israel.
--"Senate Panel Okays $60 Million for Missile Partnership Programs with Israel," Defense Daily International, 01 June 2007.

11 June 2007
A new version of Israel's SkyLite B mini-UAV, with a "range of more than 21 mi., endurance of up to 3 hr. and a secure digital data link," was introduced by Israel's Rafael missile company. The new model can "operate in winds of up to 30 kt. and in rain, autonomously track a moving object and provide high-resolution images with accurate targeting data."
--Staff, "Israel's Rafael Missile Company," Aviation Week and Space Technology, 11 June 2007.

27 June 2007
Members of the U.S. Congress's House Appropriations Committee are reportedly trying "to encourage Israel to purchase U.S.-made antimissile systems instead of, or alongside with, the Arrow missiles, which are developed in Israel." The committee supports Lockheed Martin in its development of the THAAD antimissile missiles and has submitted a proposal to Congress recommending allocating Israel $135 million to purchase these systems, even though an official request has not been made by Israel.
--Dani Shalom, "US Persuading Israel to Purchase THAAD Missiles in lieu of Arrow Missiles," Maqor Rishon, in OSC document GMP20070627741010, 27 June 07.

2 July 2007
Israel Military Industries (IMI) proposed establishing a Missile and Rocket Corps to take the place of the Artillery Corps in the IDF. The IMI contends that this would "enable the ground forces to launch precision attacks on targets at a range of 200 km., and to strike isolated targets with great accuracy."
--Felix Shalom, "IMI Proposes to Replace Artillery Corps. With Missile Corps.," Ma'ariv, in OSC document GMP20070702738003, 02 July 07.

9 July 2007
Israel Aerospace Industries will sign a deal with India's Defense Research and Development Organization "to develop a long-range version of the Barak missile system for the India Air Force. The new version would have a range of 150 km.
--Shiv Kumar, "DRDO Will Build Version A for IAF," The Tribune, in OSC document SAP20070710377015, 10 July 07.

13 July 2007
Israel will jointly develop and co-produce "a new generation of medium range surface-to-air missiles" with India. This new generation missile will have a range of 70 km. and, reports have said, Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) is "working on a medium range version of the Spyder-MR" missile.
--"India, Israel to jointly develop medium range missiles," PTI 13 July 2007.

13 July 2007
Israel will develop and produce a new generation of missile defense technology in collaboration with India. This comes after years of collaboration between the two countries on developing radar and electronic technologies for missiles. In fact, "Israel had earlier sold Green Pine radars to India."
--Ranjit Kumar, "Missiles to be developed with Israel's Cooperation," Navbharat Times, in OSC document SAP20070713479006, 13 July 07.

27 July 2007
Israel's antiaircraft forces conducted a test of its Stinger missile batteries last week. After a test, most Stinger missiles were able to down mini-UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Specifically, the Stinger missiles "demonstrated important capabilities in destroying especially small targets."
--Pinhas Wolf, "Test Successful: Most Stinger Missiles Intercept Mini-UAV," Bamahane, in OSC document GMP20070727741007, 27 July 07.

2 August 2007
Israeli security officials reported that the Israeli government is reconsidering funding the laser-based Sky Guard missile protection system. The Sky Guard system was developed by U.S. Company Northrop Grumman and "passed performance tests in the U.S. with flying colors, registering a successful interception rate of nearly 100 percent." The Sky Guard system was previously dropped in favor of the Iron Dome system, which is based on intercepting rockets rather than laser beams. The pro-Sky Guard lobbying group argues that "Sky Guard was nearly completed, requiring minimal further investment to make it operational," while the Iron Dome System was to be completed within three years.
--Baraq Ravid, "Sky Guard May be Rising from the Dead," Ha'aretz, in OSC document GMP20070802736010, 02 August 07.

3 August 2007
The new Israeli arms assistance package from the U.S., which "will top $30 billion over the next 10 years," coincides with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak's new plan for strengthening national security. Barak's plan includes a multi-layered missile and rocket defense system. In fact, the Ministry of Defense chose Israel's RAFAEL and U.S. Company Raytheon to work on a short range ballistic missile defense development program.
--B.C. Kessner, "Reactions, Possible Priorities Following U.S. Arms Assistance to Israel," Defense Daily International, 3 August 2007.

5 August 2007
A joint-venture between Israeli RAFAEL and U.S. company Raytheon promises to produce world's first ground-based anti-shoulder-held missile protective system. The system will be able to detect "the launching of a shoulder-held missile at an aircraft instantly, either during takeoff or upon landing."
--Arye Egozi, "Israel-US Co-Manufacture Laser-Based Anti-Shoulder-Held Missile Ground System," Yedi'ot Aharonot, in OSC document GMP20070805739007, 05 August 07.

9 August 2007
Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, a short-range rocket-based missile interception system, will be operational in 18 months, according to officials at RAFAEL, Israel's national authority for the development of weapons and military technology. In response to an increasing number of threats of Palestinian "ballistic capabilities," Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has been reported as stating that an operational Iron Dome system is a "prerequisite for an Israeli pullout from the West Bank." The Iron Dome system will be able to intercept rockets, like the Qassam rockets being fired by militants in Gaza.
--Yuval Azoulay, "Missile Interception System to be Launching in 18 Months," Ha'aretz, in OSC document GMP20070809735009, 09 August 07.

23 August 2007
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) intends to buy "advanced U.S.-made Patriot PAC-3 missiles from Lockheed Martin." The IAF is currently using the PAC-2 missile defense system as a second level of defense if the Arrow system fails. In the new system, the PAC-3 missiles are capable of intercepting aircraft and long-range ballistic missiles and each launcher will be equipped with 16 missiles instead of four. The PAC-3 system uses a "hit-to-kill system rather than an exploding warhead used by the PAC-2." The PAC-2 launchers will need to be modified and upgraded for the PAC-3 missiles.
--Arye Egozi, "Israel to Buy Advanced Anti-Aircraft Missiles," Ynetnews, in OSC document GMP20070823735012, 23 August 07; Yaakov Katz, "IDF Might Buy Latest Patriot Missile Systems. Reportedly Capable of Intercepting Most Syrian Missiles," Jerusalem Post, 20 August 2007.

24 August 2007
In light of the threat to Israel of "unprecedented missile barrages" in the future, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is set to "modify its missile defense doctrine and has changed its deployment of the Arrow missile in northern Israel." The IDF has concluded that, judging from the large number of missiles and rockets that hit northern Israel during the Second Lebanon War and concerns over war with Syria, Israel's "next war will be characterized by missile onslaughts, and lots of them." Because of this, the IDF is switching to a "wide deployment" of Arrow missile batteries. Prior to now, the deployment of Arrow missiles in northern Israel was characterized as "thin deployment," based on the threat of Iraq's Scud missiles from the first Gulf War. IDF has also submitted a request to the U.S. Pentagon for "information on two American-made missile defense systems - the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) and the Aegis. The reason for this is to prepare Israeli infrastructure for the possibility of either the purchase of these systems or the deployed by the U.S. in time of war.
--Ya'aqov Katz, "Fearing Syrian Missile Onslaught, IDF Boosts Arrow Defenses in North," Jerusalem Post, in OSC document GMP20070824739002, 24 August 07.

31 August 2007
Israel wishes to buy advanced medium range air-to-air (AMRAAM) missiles, equipment and services. The estimated cost is $171 million, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). It is also reported that Israel "wants to spend $163 million on 30 RGM-84L Block II Harpoon Anti-Ship missiles with containers and 500 AIM-9M Sidewinder Short Range Air-to-Air Infrared Guided missiles as well as associated equipment and services." Raytheon and Boeing would be the primary contractors. The DSCA reported that it is within the interests of the U.S. "to assist Israel developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability."
--"Israel Seeking $334 Million in Missiles, $308 Million in Jet Fuel," Defense Daily International, 31 August 2007.

24 October 2007
Israel presented a test of the PAC-3 missile system during a conference of the Jerusalem Center for Public and State Affairs and the Israeli Missile Defense Organization. Since the Patriot system is designed to act as a second layer of defense, a test of the Arrow system, which is Israel's first layer of defense, was also presented.
--Hanan Greenberg, "Israel to Receive New Patriot System," Ynet News, in OSC document GMP20071024736001, 24 October 07.

26 October 2007
In light of Israel's recent defense policy decision to pursue a missile shield doctrine in the place of preemptive strikes, Israeli Defense establishment officials proposed the use of a laser-based missile defense system, like the M-THEL (Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser). The M-THEL was a joint Israel-U.S. program that was suspended in 2005. The U.S. army first cancelled the program, which led Israel to follow suit the following year.
--"Israel Sees Missile Defense as Replacing Preemptive Strike," Middle East Newsline, 26 October 2007.

8 November 2007
The U.S. Congress recently approved providing Israel with $155 million to develop David's Sling, an advanced missile interception system. David's Sling will be able to counter projectiles ranging from rudimentary rockets of the sort frequently used by Gaza militants to long-range missiles like those in the arsenal of Israel's arch foe Iran.
--"Israel Gets U.S. Aid for Anti-Missile System," Agence France Press, 8 November 07.

9 November 2007
The 2008 Appropriations Bill for the U.S. Department of Defense includes $37 million intended for the production of components for the anti-ballistic missile Arrow in the U.S. and Israel. The manufacturing of the Arrow, which is part of Israel's Arrow anti-ballistic missile defense system, is managed by Israeli Missile Defense Organization. The Appropriations Bill also includes $36.5 million for Israel's Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
-- "Arrow Missile Defense Components Receive Conference Attention," Defense Daily International, 9 November 07; Hillary Krieger, "Congress Boosts Israeli Missile R&D," Jerusalem Post, 11 November 07.

11 November 2007
Israel's missile defense shield around the Dimona nuclear reactor was placed on red alert last week due to fears of an impending retaliatory air strike by Syria. Israel also moved a battery of its Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Dimona.
--Uzi Mahnaimi. "Israel on Alert for Syria Airstrike," London Sunday Times, 11 November 07.

12 November 2007
At a recent meeting of the Knesset-Congressional committee on defense issues, one of the main topics on the agenda was the need to upgrade Israel's anti-missile defense systems. Israel proposed the development of "a new system capable of intercepting missiles in outer space, with a kill ratio of around 99 percent." The current interception rate of the Arrow system is 90 percent.
--Leslie Susser, "Israel to U.S.: Listen, It's Pretty Serious," Jerusalem Report, 12 November 07.

14 November 2007
As part of an Israeli effort to replenish its emergency weapons stockpiles, Israel's Patriot Air Defense Systems are set to receive 100 additional Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-2) Guided Enhanced Missile Plus missile rounds.
--Alon Ben-David, "Israel Continues to Replenish War Stocks," Jane's Defense Weekly, 14 November 07.

03 December 2007
Newly declassified documents belonging to Henry Kissinger, then President Nixon's national security adviser, reveal that, in 1969, the U.S. government considered pressuring Israel not to deploy the Jericho nuclear-armed intermediate-range ballistic missiles in its arsenal. This was in response to growing discontent in the U.S. government regarding Israel's nuclear weapons program.
--Doug Richardson, "U.S. Considered Pressure on Israel Against Jericho Missile, Reveals Kissinger Memorandum," Jane's Missiles & Rockets, 03 Dec 2007.

20 December 2007
The IDF announced this week that it is making progress in testing the new Patriot missile launching system in southern Israel. The new system will improve upon earlier attempts at interception of surface-to-surface missiles.
--Leah Krauss, "Analysis: Missile Defense Testing Advances," United Press International, 20 Dec 2007.

30 December 2007
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced that it will develop a missile for India that is designed to intercept aircraft, missiles and UAV threats from Pakistan.
--Arye Egozi, "Israel to Develop for India Missile to Intercept Threats from Pakistan," Yedi'ot Aharonot, 30 Dec 2007, from GMP20071230754003.

18 January 2008
Israel test fired a long-range ballistic missile yesterday morning from the Palmahim Air Force Base in central Israel. Israeli radio reported that the missile tested "was capable of carrying an ‘unconventional payload.'"
--Yaakov Katz, "Long-Range Ballistic Missile Test-Fired," The Jerusalem Post, 18 Jan 2008.

22 January 2008
Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveils the newly developed "Stunner" missile. The missile is designed to intercept mid to long-range rocket threats and missiles. Jointly developed by Rafael and U.S. defense contractor Raytheon, it is expected to become operational in four years and will be incorporated into the Magic Wand anti-missile system.
--Barak Ravid, "Israel unveils plans for missile to counter Hezbollah missiles," Haaretz, 22 January 2008.

4 February 2008
The USS San Jacinto equipped with the AEGIS anti-missile defense system docks at the Port of Haifa. Intended to deploy in the event of an Iranian missile attack against Israel, it is equipped with the SPY-1A radar system, "capable of detecting and tracking any aircraft or missile flying within 320 km."
--Yaakov Katz, "US anti-missile ship to dock in Haifa," Jerusalem Post, 4 February 2008.

16 February 2008
Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announces its partnership with India's Bharat Electronics in the field of missile electronics and guidance technologies. The partnership will allow Israel to "meet future offset requirements through the transfer of technology and work-share."
--"Bharat, RAFAEL Move on Plans for Missile Technology," Jane's Defense Industry, 18 Feb 2008.

16 February 2008
Israel's Urban Aeronautics and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announce joint venture agreements with India's TATA Advanced Systems. The TATA-Urban Aeronautics agreement "is to explore opportunities for manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)." The TATA-IAI agreement is to focus on the "development and production of a wide range of products: missiles; unmanned aerial vehicles; electronic warfare; and security systems."
--"TATA, EADS Partner for Indian Army Tactical Comms System Bid," Jane's Defense Industry, 18 Feb 2008; "India-Israel to Jointly Develop Anti-Aircraft Missiles," Agence France Press, 26 Feb 2008.

22 February 2008
The Israeli Air Force is upgrading its missile testing field. The upgrade, scheduled to be completed in two years, will include "the establishment of a sophisticated command room, modern radar, and advanced optical and computer systems."
--Shira Kohen. "The Missile Field that Will Try to Give NASA a Fight," Bamahane, 22 Feb 2008, Open Source Document GMP20080222741001.

1 March 2008
The Israeli Navy is upgrading its anti-missile defenses by deploying Rafael's new Wideband Zapping Anti-Radar Decoy (WIZARD). Intended to "help defend vessels against increasingly widely fielded chaff-discriminating radar-guided missiles," the WIZARD system will "provide a substantial and relatively persistent radar lure for incoming missile threats." The system will also be able to "overcome the usual chaff-discriminating algorithms," which are used to distinguish chaff from actual targets. RAFAEL first unveiled the new decoy system at NATO's MCG/8 electronic warfare exercise in June 2007.
--Nick Brown. "Israel chooses Rafael's Wizard decoy for navy," International Defense Review, 1 March 2008; "Wizard Naval Decoy Demonstrated at NATO Trials," Deagel.com, 16 July 07, <http://www.deagel.com/news/WIZARD-Naval
-Decoy-Demonstrated-at-NATO-Trials_n000002418.aspx>.

14 March 2008
Israel’s Defense Ministry Director-General Pinhas Buhris will travel to the United States to meet with U.S. officials on continuing funding of Israel’s Arrow missile defense system. In addition, Buhris intends to meet with Pentagon officials about a future acquisition concerning the Lockheed Martin-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.
--Yaakov Katz, "Facing Iran threat Israel tries again to buy F-22 jets from U.S.," The Jerusalem Post, 14 March 2008.

4 April 2008
The Israel Air Force (IAF) plans to conduct an exercise "to test the Arrow missile defense system’s capability in tracking an advanced Iranian Shihab 3." The test will be designed to focus on the capabilities of the Green Pine Radar which forms an integral part of the Arrow missile defense system as it tracks a missile made by Israel’s Rafael, called Black Sparrow.
--Yaakov Katz, "Can the Arrow Thwart Iran’s Shihab 3 Missile?," The Jerusalem Post, 4 April 2008.

10 May 2008
The U.S. administration appears set to offer Israel a powerful new radar system. The proposed system is believed to be the forward-based X-Band radar built by Raytheon. Transportable by air, the X-Band radar "uses high-powered pulsed beams for extremely high resolution tracking of objects in space such as a missile that could be tipped with a chemical, germ, or nuclear warhead." While greatly boosting Israel’s defenses against ballistic missiles, the new system would allow Israel to engage a Shahab-3 ballistic missile, six times sooner than Israel’s present Green Pine Radar.
--Jim Wolf, "U.S. looks set to offer Israel powerful new radar," Reuters, 10 May 2008.

	Updated May 2008