Israeli Made Radars – Sentinels of Economic Interests

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By ARIE EGOZI

The recent cooperation agreements between Brazilian and Israeli companies have many reasons but one stands out very clearly – Brazil wants to use the Israeli developed defence systems for two main targets- improving the capabilities of its local companies but even more important , using these combat proven capabilities to defend its huge economic resources in the sea that surrounds that big country namely in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

EEZ is a sea zone defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind.

Brazil’s EEZ covers 3,660,995 km.

To keep an eye on such a huge area , Brazil needs very sharp sensors and these will be very sharp with the help of Israeli technology.

Elta , the electronics subsidiary of Israel aerospace industries (IAI) last year has teamed with IACIT from Brazil and established a radar maintenance center in this country.

In recent years ELTA has supplied some types of its airborne radars to the Brazilian airforce – the company’s EL/M-2022 is carried by the Brazilian P-3’S and C-295.

It provides detection, tracking, classification and identification of maritime and airborne targets in high sea states and high-density environments, Elta says. The radar can provide 360˚ coverage, depending on its installed configuration, and produce synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse SAR imagery.

But eyes are not enough because when they see a threat strong hands have to deal with it very fast.

This is the reason that through this cooperation agreement

Elta hopes to sell more of its advanced versions of its ELL-8212/22 Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) Pods, for fighter aircraft protection.

According to Elta , the pod is designed to enhance survivability of fighters and other military aircraft operating in dense radar-guided weapon systems environment. The ECM Pods provide mission oriented protection and allow easy reprogramming on flight-line, as well as operation adaptability to the current threat scenarios.

The  capabilities of the ELL-8212/22 ECM Pods against groud-air and air-air missiles have created a big demand in western and eastern airforces.

But while the cooperation initially focuses on the Brazilian market it creates a a base for offering the Israeli aerial capabilities to other customers in Latin America.