Tel Aviv: The renewed fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh area will create additional arms deals between Azerbaijan and Israel, according to Israeli defence sources.
The defence ties between Azerbaijan and Israel are very close. This country has a long border with Iran. Azerbaijan has in recent years purchased some Israeli developed weapon systems including loitering weapon systems to answer specific operational requirements. These systems were used extensively during the Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020 between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Video clips from the war zone showed heavy use of Israeli loitering weapon systems by the Azeris. In 2018 the Azeris acquired the Elbit Systems SkyStriker loitering weapon system as part of its plan to acquire autonomous strike capabilities. The Israeli company refused to comment on the contract but videos showing tests with this systems in Azerbaijan have surfaced on the net.
The SkyStriker is the first such system developed by Elbit Systems. The SkyStriker – a remotely operated electro-optical, precise guided Loitering Munition (LM) is designed to seek, locate and engage various targets for the tactical level military force. According to Elbit, the SkyStriker is capable to locate, acquire and strike operator-marked targets enabling high-precision performance. The system’s electric propulsion provides a low acoustic signature and enables covert low altitude operations. Due to its flight speed capability, it can reach a distance of tens of miles within minutes. Upon reaching the target area, it can loiter and pursue the target for up to two hours.
Azerbaijan is one of the largest weapons market for Israeli military equipment, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. In the past Azerbaijan has purchased another loitering weapon system, the Harop made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It also purchased the Lora , long range surface – surface precise rocket. The Harop has been developed to destroy high quality targets. It consists of the munitions unit, transportable launcher and a mission control shelter, which provides real-time access to control the Harop by a man-in-the-loop. The Harop can be launched from various transportable platforms including sea and ground based canisters or air launched to navigate towards the potential target area. It can be launched at any angle, horizontal or at a vertical trajectory. The sealed container ensures protection from harsh battlefield conditions.
The Harop is armed with a 35 pounds warhead and is equipped with a very advanced day/night payload (POP-250) made by the Tamam division of IAI. Harop has an operational range of 620 miles and an endurance of six hours. Last week a video emerged showing a Harop loitering weapon systems hitting a Russian made S-300 air defence systems operated by the Armenians.
In recent months, there were reports about some new Israeli developed weapon systems that Azerbaijan wants to acquire. Last year Israeli Defence Company Meteor Aerospace has teamed with Caspian Ship Building Company (CSBC) in Azerbaijan, to jointly offer advanced defence solutions to meet the national needs of Azerbaijan. The two companies are well positioned to offer a wide range of defence solutions, with local support, with unique advantages to Azerbaijan’s defence needs and industry. A new company was established in Azerbaijan, named Caspian Meteor, to implement this cooperation.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
