SHARE
Israel’s vaunted Iron Dome defence system was severely tested by a battery of drones designed and supplied by Iran, experts told
The National.
During the recent conflict, Tehran supplied Hamas with equipment and technology for the extremists to set up their own defence manufacturing industry to launch attacks from Gaza.
The threat from the barrages during the 11-day war led Israel to deploy its missile interceptors on the back of frigates patrolling the Mediterranean coast to defend gas installations and the mainland.
While Israel s forces managed to shoot down at least six of the kamikaze drones launched from Gaza, it is understood that Iran will assess the attack methods to improve them for future conflict.
Nigeria inducts JF-17 fighters
by Jeremy Binnie
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) formally inducted its three JF-17 Thunder multirole fighters into service during a 20 May ceremony at Makurdi Air Base that also marked its 57th anniversary.
The aircraft (NAF 120-122) were ordered from Pakistan in 2016 and formally signed over during the event, which was shown live by the NAF.
Already a Janes subscriber? Read the full article via the
Client Login
Share
IRGC harasses US warships again
by Jeremy Binnie
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) has indicated that its recent harassment of US Navy (USN) vessels is part of a renewed policy of confrontation rather than the work of unruly commanders.
In a rare announcement, the 5th Fleet said USS
Georgia
entered the Gulf on 21 December 2020.
(US Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet)
In a statement released on 11 May, the IRGC’s naval wing accused the USN of unprofessional conduct that included “firing flares and aimless and provocative shots” at its vessels, which it said were “observing the legal distance enshrined in maritime guidelines and regulations”.
F-16 contractors leave Iraq s Balad again
by Jeremy Binnie
The Lockheed Martin contractors who are supporting the Iraqi Air Force’s fleet of F-16 multirole fighters have left Balad Air Base again due to security threats, the US company has confirmed.
The company confirmed an earlier Reuters report on 10 May when it said it was “relocating our Iraq-based F-16 team” for employee safety reasons.
The
US Navy seizes large weapons shipment in Arabian Sea
10 May 2021
by Jeremy Binnie
The crew of US Navy cruiser USS
Monterey seized a large shipment of weapons after stopping and searching a dhow in the north of the Arabian Sea on 6-7 May, with the US 5th Fleet saying it included thousands of Chinese Type 56 assault rifles and hundreds of PKM machine guns, sniper rifles, and rocket launchers.
The seized weapons displayed on USS
Monterey
’s flight deck.
(US Naval Forces Central Command/US 5th Fleet)
The 5th Fleet released photographs showing the shipment, which also included two anti-tank missiles, one of which appeared to be an 9M113 Konkurs, and another showing the Cyrillic and Latin markings of the 9M111M Faktoriya.