Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and HENSOLDT have signed a joint strategic cooperation agreement. Under this, they will jointly manufacture radar systems for ballistic missile defence and participate in air and space surveillance projects. In a first step, HENSOLDT and IAI subsidiary ELTA will offer a long-range radar for use on the F124 frigates of the German Navy. This radar operates in the S-band, which allows much more precise detection of targets in space than other solutions.
IAI will contribute its technological know-how and many years of experience in the development and manufacture of defence systems against long-range ballistic missiles, so that components already proven in service will be used. HENSOLDT will manufacture the core components and completely assemble the radar systems. These long-range sensors can be offered to the German customer as well as other NATO partners. Service support for the entire lifetime of the system can also be provided by HENSOLDT.
Records of IAI & HENSOLDT
HENSOLDT is the supplier of the German Navy’s advanced radar systems, which are used on the K130 corvette and the F125 frigate, the latter of which has just entered service. The portfolio is rounded off by mobile, land and airborne systems, short-range radars and the newly developed passive radar.
Specifically, ELTA group developed the Ultra and Spectra radar family which provide enhanced search and detection capabilities of ballistic missiles and satellites at longer ranges. The radars are mature, field-proven products that allow flexible design to support changes in operational requirements for future threats.
The Ultra and Spectra systems involved in the cooperation were designed to function independently of each other as detection systems. They support all levels of air defence, ranging from medium to long and very long ranges. Both systems are mobile and offer up to 500 km of surveillance and detection capabilities over fighter aircraft. The systems provide early warnings via satellites, ballistic missiles and other air targets at much greater distances.
Jack Richardson
