Ministry of Defense: Resuming Production of Combat Ships in Israel

The Ministry of Defense announced today (Thursday) that it has concluded a deal with Israel Shipyards for the purchase of five advanced 'Reshef' model combat ships for the Navy. The production will be carried out in Israel, and the deal is valued at 2.8 billion shekels. The deal was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Equipping and the Joint Committee for the Defense Budget in the Knesset.

The new ships will be multi-mission and integrate advanced weapon systems from Israeli defense industries. The 'Reshef' ships will replace the old 'Nirit' (Saar 4.5) ships, which will be decommissioned after four decades of service.

Additionally, it was revealed that the Israeli company SpearUAV signed a deal worth about 20 million dollars to sell the 'VIPER 300' loitering munition system to a foreign country, as reported by Channel 12 News. The system, based on four blades that allow for high maneuverability, is already in use by the IDF and provides ground forces with intelligence gathering and strike capabilities at the battalion level.

Unlike a regular missile that flies directly to its target, loitering munition is an armed aerial vehicle that can stay airborne for an extended period, gather intelligence, and strike as necessary.

The uniqueness of the system lies in its launch method: it is folded inside a capsule that can be launched by a single soldier or mounted on various platforms such as tanks and APCs. The VIPER 300, weighing about 300 grams, is operated by an artificial intelligence system that allows relatively simple operation. According to the company, soldiers can be trained to operate the system within a few days, without prior experience in flying unmanned vehicles.

Cyprus to Purchase Air Defense System from Israel

Another defense deal sealed by the Ministry of Defense is with the Cypriot military. According to Cypriot media, Israel Aerospace Industries sold the Cypriot military 'Barak MX' missiles, capable of intercepting UAVs and cruise missiles at ranges of up to 150 kilometers. According to the report, the first battery has already been deployed in Cyprus and has become operational.

The acquired system is adaptable for operation from the sea or the ground and includes several types of interceptors that allow targeting a variety of threats: planes, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-ship missiles, cruise missiles, and even certain ballistic missiles. The Israeli Navy also uses the system, under the name 'Barak Magen'.