Page 22 - ADT MARCH 2021 Online Magazine

threats.” The company has received Miysis orders from U.K. for the reportedly in discussions with countries in the

patrol aircraft, as well as other NATO and non-NATO customers. and Barak 8 missile systems.
As part of its plan to pursue orders for Miysis in the Middle East
and African markets, Leonardo has teamed up with MRO company
Sabena technics. Homegrown Capabilities
India, which wants to keep China and Pakistan
Leaving Nothing to Chance in check, has a missile defense program that
is predominantly homegrown. The programme
Not willing to take safety for granted, Israel is working to further hinges on the Prithvi missile for exo-atmospheric
improve its existing multi-tier missile defense array that consists of intercepts in outer space, and the Advanced
the short-range, truck-towed, multi-mission mobile Iron Dome, the Area Defense missile for endo-atmospheric
medium-range David’s Sling, and the anti-ballistic Arrow system. intercepts within the Earth's atmosphere, in
Earlier this year, the country successfully tested the C-Dome the terminal phase when the target warhead
Shadow R1 ISTAR aircraft, Canada for the CP-140 Aurora maritime Middle East for the possible sale of the Spyder [ MISSILE DEFENCE ]
system, a naval version of the Iron Dome missile defence system. is making its final descent. In addition to its
According to Rafael, the C-Dome is capable of protecting vessels indigenously made missile defense system, the
and other naval assets from a range of threats and can engage
country is also acquiring the Russian S-400 air
defense missiles, notwithstanding the threat of
sanctions from the Biden administration. The
S-400 is capable of intercepting missiles as
well as aircraft.

According to international data analytics firm
GlobalData, Taiwan is expected to spend about
US$6.1 billion on missiles and missile defense
systems in the current decade. In February, the
State Department announced that the Biden
administration had approved a US$100 million
contract for Taiwan to “sustain, maintain, and
improve” its Patriot missile defense system. The
country, meanwhile, is enhancing the indige-
nously developed Tien Kung 3 (TK-3) air defense
system that is capable of countering tactical
ballistic missiles. The TK-3, initially conceived
as a lower-tier missile defense system by the
Taiwan-based National Chung-Shan Institute
multiple targets simultaneously. The C-Dome uses the ship’s surveil- of Science and Technology, is equipped with
lance radar for fire control, and its weapon system command and an imported Ku-Band active radar seeker, a
control is integrated into the ship’s combat management system. directed fragmentation warhead, and improved
Due to tis modular design, the system can be integrated with vari- precision controls. The country’s investment in
ous vessels, including offshore patrol vessels and small corvettes. short-range air defense systems such as the
In January, Israel tested the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system, U.S. Stinger FIM-92H and the locally developed
which is designed to intercept a missile outside the Earth’s atmo- Sea Oryx naval system is expected to further
sphere. Research work on the Arrow 4 has already commenced. boost its air defense network.
In February, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that the
country’s laser-based missile interception technology, which would
surround the country with “a defensive laser wall,” would be ready A Force to Reckon With
for use by the Israel Defence Forces in 2023. Even as it adds weapons to its arsenal at a
pace that none of the other countries can
At the recent Singapore Airshow, Rafael showcased the Spyder match, China is enhancing its missile defence
air defence system, a “quick reaction, lower-tier Air-Defense capabilities. In February, the country unveiled
system, designed to counter enemy aircraft, bombs, UAVs, and its QW-12 advanced man-portable air defense
precision-guided munitions.” The Czech Republic is the inaugural system (MANPADS) that reportedly destroyed
international customer of the system that is being touted by the helicopters, jets, and cruise missiles in a recent
company as an option for countries that want a layer of air defense live fire test. According to local media reports,
systems. IAI has found takers for its Barak 8 MRSAM air and missile the QW-12, which can also be mounted on light
defense system, which has been deployed by India and Azerbaijan. vehicles and ships, displayed anti-decoy capa-
According to reports, Morocco has signed a deal to acquire the bilities that “no foreign counterpart has ever
Barak MX Integrated Air and Missile Defense System. Israel is also shown.”

22 | March 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT