Israel Aerospace Industries Signs Multiple Contracts with NATO Member Countries to Supply Rotem VTOL Tactical Loitering Munition

Date:

 

Tel Aviv: Following the recent announcement that NATO member Estonia has purchased long-range loitering munitions from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the company has signed separate contracts with three additional NATO countries worth several millions of dollars to supply Rotem loitering munitions.

ads

Rotem is a unique combat-proven vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) tactical loitering munition, intended for use by customers’ special forces and can also serve for test and evaluation purposes.

Rotem is part of IAI’s family of loitering munitions which includes Harpy, Harop and Mini-Harpy, and has been proven in different combat situations since 2019.

Avi Elisha, VP and General Manager – MBT Missile Division said, “This announcement follows the decision of another NATO member Estonia, to purchase IAI’s long-range loitering munitions. Acquisition of Rotem by three different NATO members reflects the high and growing global demand for tactical loitering munitions. IAI has extensive experience in loitering munitions, having invented this type of munition almost 40 years ago. Rotem’s unique capabilities include vertical take-off and landing, making it a perfect choice for close combat scenarios, including urban combat.”

Rotem is effective up to a range of ten kilometers and was designed for deployment by an individual soldier at the infantry or small unit/special forces level. Its simple operation and robust design make it highly cost-effective.

big bang

IAI’s loitering munitions have emerged as a disrupting new weapons category following many deployments in recent conflicts. This weapon has reshaped the battlefield and inflicted damage on a scale far beyond its physical size. As a result, armed forces worldwide are interested in the offensive and defensive aspects of this type of weapon as they realize the unique capabilities they enable.

Lightweight, compact and affordable, Rotem is specially designed and proven to perform in urban warfare environments. It allows individual soldiers to gain an elevated view of the area around them, look over hills or within an urban environment and beyond the line of sight. The soldier can then strike the enemy as soon as targets appear.

huges

Rotem carries both day and night electrooptical sensors to give tactical field units an advantage against  adversaries, acting as a sensor and a weapon of opportunity. Unlike missiles or rockets, it can be launched to seek a target, but is disarmed if authorization to attack is not received. If this occurs, Rotem can fly back to be retrieved safely, have its battery replaced, and be deployed immediately on a new mission.

With a flight endurance of 30 minutes, or with an ability to loiter for up to nine hours, Rotem can hover above a high building or hill, with an open camera and datalink – while waiting for the target to emerge. Once the target is detected, Rotem can then attack instantly.

-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

More like this

Indian Navy Demonstrates Global Submarine Rescue Capability at Exercise Pacific Reach – XPR-25

New Delhi: The Indian Navy’s Submarine Rescue Unit (East),...

“Our Goal is to Have an Indigenous Engine in Next 10-12 Years”: Air Marshal A K Bharti

New Delhi: Emphasising the importance of indigenous engine production,...

AURA AERO Appoints Air Force General (Retd) Stéphane Mille as Chief Defence Officer, to Accelerate its Defence Activity

Toulouse. Francazal Airport, France: AURA AERO, as an innovative...

iDEX-DISC: Defence Startup Big Bang Boom Solutions Signs Multi-Spectral Camouflage Cloak Contract with Indian Navy

Chennai: Under the Defence Indian Start-up Challenge (DISC) organised...

Continuous Spotting of Russian Navy’s Ship Yantar Forces UK, NATO to Reinforce Maritime Defences  

Tel Aviv: Russian Navy’s ship Yantar has been spotted...

Pilatus Hands Over the First PC-12 PRO

Stans, Switzerland: Progressive, Proven, Professional: the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment...

Sikorsky CH-53K Helicopters Delivery to Israeli Air Force to Start  in 2028

Tel Aviv: Deliveries of the Sikorsky CH-53K to the...

HAL Receives 4th F404-IN20 Engine from GE Aerospace

Photo Caption: GE Aerospace has handed over the fourth...
Indian Navy Special EditionLatest Issue