The heavy rocket was one of the 500 that the Islamic Jihad terror organization launched in the last two days into Israel, in retaliation for a Tuesday strike by Israeli forces that reportedly killed a trio of Islamic Jihad leaders.
"I can say without any doubt that artillery, specifically rockets, has gained its status as the queen of combat " Yehuda Vered, executive VP and CEO of Elbit's land division, told Breaking Defense in a recent interview.
After objecting to a plan to overhaul the country's juridical system, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant was fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday, leading to increased protests in Israel's streets.
The main concern is that the right-wing government will cause a break in relations with the US that could impact Washington’s willingness to approve Israel’s annual foreign military financing (FMF) budget, money that the US gives to Israel to spend on American-made defense goods.
According to government sources, the Israeli Ministry of Defense paused a large arm sale to a Middle Eastern nation when the Saudi-Iranian deal was announced.
Recently, Breaking Defense visited Squadron 161 at Palmachim Air Base in central Israel, the first time a media outlet was given access to the unit.
Breaking Defense talks with Col. Nir Weingold, the head of planning, economics & IT department in the military research department.
A review of the Israeli policy is being led by the national security unit in the prime minister's office, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mossad, per sources.
Tightening relations with US organizations to develop next-gen technology is part of an overall business strategy to try and develop a suite of future-focused weapons, according to Eytan Eshel, IAI's executive vice president for R&D, technology and innovation.
Sources said companies expected export licenses to expand after Israel publicly admitted the use of armed UAVs.
Top US officials made high-profile visits recently to help quell Israeli-Palestinian violence, but Israeli defense officials clearly have Iran on the mind.
IAI senior official Moshe Levy told Breaking Defense the company is experimenting with several designs to aid ground units in combat.
Jerusalem previously expressed interest in the F-15s, along with F-35s, but political instability delayed the official move.
According to Israeli sources, there are negotiations in different levels with Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Romania currently underway for the Rafael Spyder system.