Tel Aviv: The Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), through its Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and in collaboration with the Israeli Air Force (IAF), has signed an agreement with Elbit Systems to procure advanced protection systems for the IAF’s Black Hawk and Apache combat helicopters.
As part of the project, IAF helicopters will be equipped with innovative technologies designed to ensure maximum protection in complex combat scenarios, including systems for identifying, disrupting, and neutralising threats and systems for deflecting guided missiles.
The contract is valued at approximately $55 million and is expected to span over 5 years. This deal joins a series of procurement and force build-up contracts that the IMOD is advancing under the leadership of the Ministry’s Director General, Major General (Res.) Amir Baram.
Head of the R&D Department at the IMOD’s DDR&D, Brig Gen Yehuda Elmakayes, said, “We are advancing cutting-edge technologies for aerial platform protection, focusing on DIRCM systems for the IAF helicopter fleet. This program builds on years of substantial investment in this critical domain and represents a significant technological breakthrough that addresses current and emerging threats. The DDR&D remains committed to further developing these capabilities alongside our partners in the IAF and industry to ensure IDF forces maintain operational freedom across all theaters.”
General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW Division, Oren Sabag, stated, “We’re honoured to continue providing the IDF with our advanced self-protection and DIRCM solutions that enhance both safety and operational capabilities of their Black Hawk and Apache helicopters. Our track record of successful implementations worldwide demonstrates these systems’ maturity and battlefield effectiveness. This contract further strengthens our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the IDF. It reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering technology that provides the highest level of protection for aircrews operating in hostile environments.”
Elbit Systems’ Directed IR Countermeasures (DIRCM) solutions are designed to protect aircraft against heat-seeking ground-to-air missiles. These systems integrate advanced fiber laser technology together with a high frame rate thermal camera and a small, highly dynamic mirror turret.
According to the company, this cutting-edge combination delivers effective, reliable and affordable protection, under all operational conditions, and to all types of aircraft.
The systems utilise an open architecture design and can be seamlessly integrated on any type of aircraft. Elbit Systems’ DIRCM solutions have been selected by the Israeli government to protect commercial Israeli airliners, by the Italian Air Force to protect the C27J, C130J and AW101 helicopter platforms and by the Brazilian Air Force to protect the KC-390 aircraft.
In addition, a number of other countries have chosen the DIRCM solutions to protect a large variety of military, VIP and commercial aircraft.
MUSIC is a family of high-performance, laser-based DIRCM solutions designed to protect aircraft against heat-seeking ground-to-air missiles. Multi Spectral Infrared Countermeasures (MUSIC) counters the threats of surface-to-air IR missiles and protects passenger, VIP and transport aircraft, as well as attack and utility helicopters. MUSIC can be installed on the full range of military and commercial aircraft without any negative impact on the platform’s performance.
-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
