Tel Aviv: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the STAR-X 3D multi-mission naval radar, designed for Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and other small vessels.
The STAR-X 3D naval radar is based on IAI’s ELTA pioneering AESA (Active Electronic Scanned Array) technology. It performs simultaneous air and surface surveillance, and is designed for performing critical missions in Exclusive Economic Zones (EZZ) and beyond.
In an era of diverse spectrum of aerial threats and challenges to maritime security and sovereignty, Naval vessels need to be equipped with 3D surveillance capabilities as part of modern Naval Air & Missile defence. Naval combat suites that include strike capabilities as well, provide nations with the ability to defend their strategic interests at sea.
The newest member of IAI family of operationally proven naval radars, which are in service with naval forces worldwide, the STAR-X is a fully digital, 3D, high-performance AESA radar which leverages proven technology from other IAI-ELTA radars. The STAR-X has reduced overall dimensions and lower weight and power requirements, which provide a very cost-effective solution for naval radar technology. The versatile radar features robust, modular construction and fully digital software driven architecture. The STAR-X delivers low LCC (Life Cycle Cost) together with the cost-effective ability to implement future upgrades, mainly through software updates, ensuring the ability to evolve and address future threats.
Eyal Shapira, vice president and general manager, Air Defense Radars and Naval Systems said, “The STAR-X radar meets the growing demands for radars designed for OPVs, to guard against a wide range of missions and threats including terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, SAR, and others. Whether engaged to protect critical offshore infrastructure or to assist in search and rescue operations, the STAR-X delivers significantly enhanced situational awareness in comparison to the legacy systems that have traditionally been fitted to this class of ship. IAI is proud of the capabilities we are bringing to this increasingly important class of vessel.”
The unveiling of new radar comes at a time when the threats against Israel’s very sensitive target have increased.
Only recently perfect coordination between the Israeli air force and navy resulted on July 23 with the successful interception of three UAVs launched by the Hezbollah in Lebanon towards the Israel Karish gas pumping rig in the Mediterranean. The UAVs probably unarmed were detected in an early stage of their flight. One was shot down by an Israeli air force F-16 and two others by Barak air defence missiles launched from an Israeli ship. Sources said that the UAVs were Iranian made, part of the weapon systems supplies by Iran to its Lebanese proxy, the Hezbollah.
Iran is investing huge sums in developing different types of armed UAVs and drones. These are already being used against Gulf States and against Israel.
In early 2022 , the Israeli air force (IAF) revealed that in 2021 , two Iranian UAVs were shot down by two of its F-35, while on their way to Israel. The interception was achieved by the use of different aerial and ground sensors.
An Israeli defence source said that in recent months, Iran’s Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has been increasing the delivery of drones to its proxies in the region and beyond. He noted that now Iranian-backed forces in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon, have received these drones, adding that they were also sold to Venezuela.
Last year Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) had begun integrating offensive and defensive systems, to enhance the Sa’ar 6 corvette’s capabilities and usher the Israeli Navy into a new technological era, under the guidance of Israel’s Ministry of Defense (IMoD) and the IDF.
IAI’s Barak MX along with IAI’s complete naval combat suite will provide advanced defence systems to the Israel Navy’s Sa’ar 6 corvettes. The systems will be used to protect Israel’s exclusive economic zone and strategic facilities that face diversified threats in the marine arena. The Barak MX system was chosen after it was demonstrated to meet the operational requirements and future challenges. The Barak family includes various range interceptors- 35 km, 70 km, and 150 km, and combines the capability to intercept various air defence threats from naval and land platforms.
