Canada taps Iron Dome tech
The Canadian government has detailed plans to acquire Medium Range Radar technology used in the Israeli military's Iron Dome air defence system for the Canadian armed forces, it announced on 29 July.
Rheinmetall Canada has been awarded contracts to produce 10 Medium Range Radar systems and provide the associated in-service support, with a combined potential value of up to $243.3 million. Israel-based ELTA will work as a subcontractor.
Delivery of the radar systems will begin in 2017. They will enable Canadian forces to accurately and quickly locate the weapons of enemy forces, and will also deliver aerial surveillance capabilities, working day and night under all weather conditions to generate a real-time understanding of air traffic above a battlefield. The systems are air transportable, rapidly deployable and highly mobile.
Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, said: 'Much like Israel's successful Iron Dome radar technology, the Medium Range Radar system will be able to instantly track enemy fire aimed at Canadian armed forces personnel and help keep them safe during operations. We’re moving forward with providing the men and women of the military with the equipment they need to do their jobs in the service of their country.'
More from Land Warfare
-
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs
The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.
-
Lockheed Martin to look further afield for GMARS rocket system opportunities
The HX truck is already in use in many NATO and allied countries around the world as a logistics vehicle and carrier for high-value systems, including missile firing weapons, so its use for the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System makes logistical sense.
-
Lithuanian 1st Division to achieve initial operating capability in 2026
Lithuania is one of the countries stepping up its defences in the face of the war in Ukraine with a particular focus on its neighbour and Russian ally Belarus, which has been making incursions into Lithuania’s airspace with balloons and drones.
-
Medium knocked out of British Army LMP, with CAVS as heavyweight champion
As the British Army seeks to modernise and consolidate its diverse vehicle fleet, yet another change in direction is underway.