Latest news with #IsraelMinistryofDefence
The Print
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Israeli, Indian defence officials discuss evolving situation in West Asia
MoD wrote on social media platform X, 'Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh received a call today from Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram Director General of Israel Ministry of Defence regarding update on current situation.' Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh received a call from Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram, Director General of Israel Ministry of Defence who gave the former updates on the current situation. New Delhi: Amid the evolving situation in West Asia, Indian and Israeli Defence officials spoke to each other on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said. On Thursday, the conflict between Israel and Iran entered its seventh day with both countries continuing to trade strikes. US President Donald Trump held a situation room meeting on Wednesday to discuss US options, reported CNN. Expressing concern over the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, stating that while he has a plan in place, the outcome remains uncertain. Trump again refused to say whether he would order a strike on Iran. 'I have a plan for everything… anything could happen,' he said. Trump expressed frustration over Iran's decision not to make a deal, stating, 'They should have made the deal. I had a great deal for them.' Trump mentioned that Iran wanted to meet and come to the White House, but his tone suggests uncertainty about the outcome. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities said at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks. In Iran, 585 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the Israeli assault, reported Anadolu Agency, citing Iranian media reports. On Thursday, Israel's Defence Forces (IDF) said that air force is carrying out a 'series of attacks' in Tehran and other parts of Iran. Earlier, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said air defence systems had been activated over Tehran. Tensions have been rising between Israel and Iran in West Asia. On June 13, Israel launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion'. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel has launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the 'Iranian threat to Israel's very survival' adding that the mission would continue 'for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.' In response, Iranian News Agency IRNA said the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), in response to the Israeli aggression, has launched a large-scale drone and missile operation 'Operation True Promise 3' targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres. The strikes were conducted in direct retaliation against Israeli 'aggression'. This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Also Read: A reformed Iran is a valuable friend to India
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Def Secy receives call from DG, Israeli defence ministry on Israel-Iran situation
'Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh received a call today from Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram Director General of Israel Ministry of Defence regarding update on current situation,' the Indian Ministry of Defence posted on X. The telephonic interaction comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. New Delhi, Jun 18 (PTI) Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Wednesday received a call on Wednesday from Director General of Israeli Ministry of Defence, Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram, on the update on the current Israel-Iran situation, officials said. On Friday, under its Operation Rising Lion, Israel had conducted strikes at Iran's nuclear, missile and military complexes, mounting tension in West Asia. The conflict now into its sixth day also saw Iran's retaliation to Israeli military action. India on Friday said that it was 'deeply concerned' over the recent developments between the countries and was 'closely monitoring' the evolving situation, even as New Delhi had urged both nations to avoid any escalatory steps. PTI KND MNK MNK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Israel-Iran Conflict: DG, Israeli Defence Ministry speaks with Indian Def Secretary on phone regarding current situation
Israel-Iran Conflict: India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh received a call from the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram, on June 18, regarding an update on the current Israel-Iran situation, officials said. The telephonic interaction comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. "Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh received a call today from Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram Director General of Israel Ministry of Defence regarding an update on current situation," the Ministry of Defence said in a post on X. On June 13, under its Operation Rising Lion, Israel conducted strikes at Iran's nuclear, missile and military complexes, mounting tension in the Middle East. The conflict, now in its sixth day, also saw Iran's retaliation against Israeli military action. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected US calls for surrender in the face of more Israeli strikes on Wednesday. Khamenei, instead, warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause 'irreparable damage to them.' This was Khamenei's second public appearance since the Israeli strikes. Khamenei spoke a day after US President Donald Trump demanded in a social media post that Iran surrender without conditions and warned Khamenei that the US knows where he is but has no plans to kill him, 'at least not for now.' Trump had initially distanced himself from Israel's surprise attack aimed at Iran's nuclear program, but in recent days he has hinted at greater US involvement, saying he wants something 'much bigger' than a ceasefire. The US has also sent more military aircraft and warships to the region, the news agency AP reported. Khamenei warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause 'irreparable damage to them.' India has said that it was 'deeply concerned' over the recent developments between the countries and was 'closely monitoring' the evolving situation, even as New Delhi had urged both nations to avoid any escalatory steps.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Watch jaw-dropping moment laser weapon is used for the first time EVER on the battlefield as kamikaze drone is blasted
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ISRAEL has become the first country in the world to shoot down drones using a state-of-the-art laser system, it has been revealed. A highly-advanced model was operated to intercept Hezbollah drones along the Lebanese border in a huge breakthrough for the country's air defence. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Footage shows the system scanning the sky Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 A drone is zapped by the state-of-the-art laser Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 The Hezbollah drone then falls from the sky Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 The technological marvel was designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as a scaled-down prototype version of the £413million Iron Beam, which is due to be unveiled later this year. Hezbollah drones were successfully blasted out of the sky by the system in question in late October, sources say. Use of the laser system was classified and a ban from reporting has only now been lifted. Its deployment has been confirmed by Israel's Ministry of Defence, which hailed "an accelerated development programme to deploy revolutionary interception systems". The laser systems will be integrated into Israel's multi-tiered air defence, which includes the world's most famed missile shield, the Iron Dome. It marks the first operational use of Israel's laser defence technology - touted as the most advanced internationally. Jaw-dropping footage shows the system in action, carefully scanning the sky before blitzing an incoming drone that then crashes to the ground. The laser systems offer a more cost-effective solution to combating air threats. Just one interception from the Iron Dome can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Whereas the laser system is said to cost as little as £2 per use with a power output of 100kW. Iron Dome Explained: Inside Israel's envy-of-the-world air defence downing 96% of terror rockets Deployment of Iron Beam's sister system was accelerated in a bid to fend off escalating attacks from Hezbollah - one of Iran's terror proxies. Dr Yuval Steinitz, chairman of Rafael, said: "Israel is the first country in the world to transform high-power laser technology into a fully operational system – and to execute actual combat interceptions." The company said it is the "beginning of a new era of warfare" that will "reshape the future of air defence"> Israel's MOD, Air Force and Rafael said the compact system was used to " successfully intercept scores of enemy threats". They added: The deployed laser systems are part of Rafael's portfolio of directed energy weapon systems, and complement the more powerful Iron Beam system, which is expected to be delivered to the IDF later this year. "Throughout the current war, the IAF studied and deployed the laser systems in the field, achieving outstanding interception rates that saved civilian lives and protected national assets." 8 IDF operators working with the laser system Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 The laser system is much cheaper to use than the Iron Dome Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence How Israel's defence mechanisms work Iron Dome The Iron Dome is Israel's most famed missile shield. It intercepts short-range rockets as well as shells and mortar. Iron Dome batteries are scattered across Israel, with each base having three or four launchers. Each launcher has 20 interceptor missiles. A radar system detects rockets and calculates the trajectory, while a control system estimates the impact point. An operator then decides whether to launch rockets to intercept. David's Sling David's Sling destroys longer-range rockets, cruise missiles and medium or long-range ballistic missiles. It started operation in 2017 and like the Dome, only stops missiles that threaten civilians and infrastructure. Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 Arrow 2 wipes out short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles while they are flying through the upper atmosphere. It is able to detect missiles up to 500km away. Missiles from Arrow 2 can travel at nine times the speed of sounds - firing at up to 14 targets at once. Arrow 3 meanwhile intercepts long-range ballistic missiles as they travel at the top of their arc outside the Earth's atmosphere. Thaad system Thaad is a US-made system, designed to work in a similar way to David's Sling and intercept missiles towards the end of their flight. It can stop missiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. Thaad batteries usually have six launchers, which each contain eight missiles. Iron Beam was first unveiled in 2014 and has been under development since - but is expected to come into operation before the year is through. It will be able to take down air threats such as rockets, mortar bombs, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles - and will be able to be programmed to follow low-flying targets before disabling them. Dr Daniel Gold, who spearheaded the creation of Iron Dome, vowed to "continue to advance this technology and deliver world-leading systems and capabilities to the IDF". The former Brigadier General, who now heads the Directorate of Defence Research & Development, said: 'The State of Israel is the first in the world to demonstrate large-scale operational laser interception capabilities. "Our vision for deploying laser weapons was realized during the war with tremendous technological and operational success.' According to Rafael, Iron Beam can shoot down flying objects like mortars, rockets, artillery, and UAVs with "pinpoint accuracy". 8 An Iron Dome battery system in action Credit: Supplied 8 The Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel, October 9, 2023 Credit: Reuters It has a range of several kilometres and costs almost nothing to run with it being a laser. As well as low cost, other benefits include unlimited number of firings, lower operational costs, and less manpower. But, unlike the Iron Dome, it's not an all-weather air defence system. The Iron Dome can be operated in all weather conditions - including fog, dust storm, low clouds and rain. But the Iron Beam system doesn't work effectively in wet conditions as the water particles absorb the laser's energy. It also needs a direct line of sight between the system and its target - making its placement far more important - and it has a much slower rate of fire. Although the laser beam makes its way to the target at the speed of light, it takes several seconds to destroy short-range missiles. The Iron Dome, however, destroys the target within a millisecond.
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Watch jaw-dropping moment laser weapon is used for the first time EVER on the battlefield as kamikaze drone is blasted
ISRAEL has become the first country in the world to shoot down drones using a state-of-the-art laser system, it has been revealed. A highly-advanced model was operated to intercept 8 Footage shows the system scanning the sky Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 A drone is zapped by the state-of-the-art laser Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 The Hezbollah drone then falls from the sky Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 The technological marvel was designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as a scaled-down prototype version of Hezbollah drones were successfully blasted out of the sky by the system in question in late October, sources say. Use of the laser system was classified and a ban from reporting has only now been lifted. Its deployment has been confirmed by Israel's Ministry of Defence, which hailed "an accelerated development programme to deploy revolutionary interception systems". More on Israel The laser systems will be integrated into Israel's multi-tiered air defence, which includes the It marks the first operational use of Israel's laser defence technology - touted as the most advanced internationally. Jaw-dropping footage shows the system in action, carefully scanning the sky before blitzing an incoming drone that then crashes to the ground. The laser systems offer a more cost-effective solution to combating air threats. Most read in The Sun Just one interception from the Iron Dome can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Whereas the laser system is said to cost as little as £2 per use with a power output of 100kW. Iron Dome Explained: Inside Israel's envy-of-the-world air defence downing 96% of terror rockets Deployment of Iron Beam's sister system was accelerated in a bid to fend off escalating attacks from Hezbollah - one of Iran's terror proxies. Dr Yuval Steinitz, chairman of Rafael, said: "Israel is the first country in the world to transform high-power laser technology into a fully operational system – and to execute actual combat interceptions." The company said it is the "beginning of a new era of warfare" that will "reshape the future of air defence"> Israel's MOD, Air Force and Rafael said the compact system was used to " successfully intercept scores of enemy threats". They added: The deployed laser systems are part of Rafael's portfolio of directed energy weapon systems, and complement the more powerful Iron Beam system, which is expected to be delivered to the IDF later this year. "Throughout the current war, the IAF studied and deployed the laser systems in the field, achieving outstanding interception rates that saved civilian lives and protected national assets." 8 IDF operators working with the laser system Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence 8 The laser system is much cheaper to use than the Iron Dome Credit: Israel Ministry of Defence How Israel's defence mechanisms work Iron Dome The Iron Dome is Israel's most famed missile shield. It intercepts short-range rockets as well as shells and mortar. Iron Dome batteries are scattered across Israel, with each base having three or four launchers. Each launcher has 20 interceptor missiles. A radar system detects rockets and calculates the trajectory, while a control system estimates the impact point. An operator then decides whether to launch rockets to intercept. David's Sling David's Sling destroys longer-range rockets, cruise missiles and medium or long-range ballistic missiles. It started operation in 2017 and like the Dome, only stops missiles that threaten civilians and infrastructure. Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 Arrow 2 wipes out short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles while they are flying through the upper atmosphere. It is able to detect missiles up to 500km away. Missiles from Arrow 2 can travel at nine times the speed of sounds - firing at up to 14 targets at once. Arrow 3 meanwhile intercepts long-range ballistic missiles as they travel at the top of their arc outside the Earth's atmosphere. Thaad system Thaad is a US-made system, designed to work in a similar way to David's Sling and intercept missiles towards the end of their flight. It can stop missiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. Thaad batteries usually have six launchers, which each contain eight missiles. Iron Beam was first unveiled in 2014 and has been under development since - but is expected to come into operation before the year is through. It will be able to take down air threats such as rockets, mortar bombs, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles - and will be able to be programmed to follow low-flying targets before disabling them. Dr Daniel Gold, who spearheaded the creation of Iron Dome, vowed to "continue to advance this technology and deliver world-leading systems and capabilities to the IDF". The former Brigadier General, who now heads the Directorate of Defence Research & Development, said: 'The State of Israel is the first in the world to demonstrate large-scale operational laser interception capabilities. "Our vision for deploying laser weapons was realized during the war with tremendous technological and operational success.' According to Rafael, Iron Beam can shoot down flying objects like mortars, rockets, artillery, and UAVs with "pinpoint accuracy". 8 An Iron Dome battery system in action Credit: Supplied 8 The Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel, October 9, 2023 Credit: Reuters It has a range of several kilometres and costs almost nothing to run with it being a laser. As well as low cost, other benefits include unlimited number of firings, lower operational costs, and less manpower. But, unlike the Iron Dome, it's not an all-weather air defence system. The Iron Dome can be operated in all weather conditions - including fog, dust storm, low clouds and rain. But the Iron Beam system doesn't work effectively in wet conditions as the water particles absorb the laser's energy. It also needs a direct line of sight between the system and its target - making its placement far more important - and it has a much slower rate of fire. Although the laser beam makes its way to the target at the speed of light, it takes several seconds to destroy short-range missiles. The Iron Dome, however, destroys the target within a millisecond. The Sun's visit to an Iron Dome battery By Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) THE Sun last month got a rare look at an Iron Dome battery system in southern Israel. Tucked along a track away from prying eyes close to a city of around 33,000, a group of highly trained IDF soldiers work tirelessly to repel missiles fired by Hamas from Gaza. Fenced off from the public, the batteries sit on a concrete base ready to be put into action at the drop of a hat. Firing units are primed and ready to go, with the launchers always pointing towards the sky as incoming threats can come at any moment. An IDF commander walked us through exactly how the remarkable system works and proudly told how they had successfully wiped out around 96 per cent of missiles fired their way. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, this exceptional kit is essential to Israel's defence. During my time in Israel last week, I saw first hand the devastation Hamas caused on October 7. Kibbutz Nir Oz was decimated by callous terrorists and around a quarter of its residents were either brutally killed or taken hostage. Hamas also unleashed a barrage of more than 5,000 missiles against Israeli targets that day in a bid to overwhelm its robust defence system. Since then, the terror group has continued to repeatedly blitz Israel - but thanks to systems like the Iron Dome it has managed to limit casualty numbers.
