Anti-missile system to be fitted on Israeli civilian aircraft
Minister of Transport, Yisrael Katz announced that all Israeli civilian aircraft will eventually be fitted with anti-missile equipment, this as part of a $76 million deal signed with Elbit Systems.
Elbit Systems have announced that they will be supplying the Ministry of Transport with their C-MUSIC (commercial multi-spectral infrared countermeasure) electro-optical system; a direct infra-red countermeasure technology that disrupts missiles fired at aircraft causing them to veer off course by transmitting a laser beam. The Ministry of Transport reported that the reliability of the system, its response time and ability to handle many different types of threat, makes it one of the most advanced systems of its kind in the world.
The Minister of Transport indicated that it would be a national project of great significance providing Israeli airlines with the highest level of protection. According to Katz, Israel will be the first country in the world to install a defensive shield on its commercial aircraft, something that will make Israeli airlines the safest in the world. Minister Katz added that within three years, installation of the system would begin on all commercial Israeli aircraft.
It was also revealed that Israeli security industries will be able to export this system to foreign airlines with the aim of increasing state revenue. Katz commented that in his opinion this product could be a flagship product for the Israeli safety industry; adding that representatives from many airlines and air forces in Israel and around the world have expressed great interest in the performance and ability of this system.
