Israel is the world leader is drone sales, according to insiders. The Jewish state reportedly sells $400 million in drones annually, and has sold a total of $4.6 billion worth in the last eight years. The data was published in a report by leading business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, which also found unmanned drones account for 10 percent of the Israeli military's export. In 2008, Israel’s drone exports totaled $150 million, a sum that increased to $650 million for the 2009 year. In 2010, Israel …More

Israel and Australia jointly released stamps marking the charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade at Beersheba in 1917. The official release Friday in the office of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy celebrates the friendship between Australia and the Zionist enterprise that has endured since the battle. Israel’s Ambassador to Australia, Yuval Rotem, noted the friendships forged between Australian soldiers and Jewish residents amid the 1917 battle. “Despite great geographical distance …More

Some 2,000 Israeli army reservists were called up for a surprise drill along the Jewish state's border with Lebanon. The drill, which was announced Tuesday and is expected to run through Thursday, includes a simulation using live ammunition, according to Haaretz. It is the first such surprise drill in several years, the newspaper reported on its website. An active Israeli army unit joined with the reservists for the drill, which the Israel Defense Forces told military correspondents had been planned for several …More

Israel Aerospace Industries will produce fighter jet wings for Lockheed Martin, a US leader in aerospace defense. The F-35 jets IAI will assist are the most expensive weapons program utilized by the Pentagon, with a $400 billion cost. "The contract marks a key milestone in the existing cooperation between IAI and Lockheed Martin," a statement read today. "This agreement represents an important milestone for IAI and ensures its involvement in the world's most advanced fighter aircraft," added Joseph Weiss, …More

Drones may replace all of the Jewish state’s military aircraft within 40 to 50 years, according to Israeli insiders. “There is a process happening now of transferring tasks from manned to unmanned vehicles,” an unnamed officer told the Associated Press. “This trend will continue to become stronger.” The officer added that drones would ultimately supplant all aerial crafts used for military operations, drastically cutting the rate of soldier casualties. The news came as the issue …More

Israeli, Greek and American military forces arrived at the Crete Islands to begin a joint exercise by the name of "Nobel Dina". The exercise included naval forces of the three countries, alongside pilots of the IAF from the "Defenders of the South" squadron: A "Panther" naval patrol helicopter drifted above the missile ships, expanding the image seen by the crews on the ships and serving as an extra pair of eyes. The way to Crete was not particularly simple: Air crew members seized the opportunity to familiarize …More

One of the Hercules squadrons' main missions is to assist infantry forces in the transfer of fighters or medical equipment, food and ammunition. This week, Nevatim Airbase, home to heavy cargo squadrons, welcomed the Hercules' partners: Senior Commanders from the IDF's 98th Paratroopers Division. "We are making efforts to strengthen the bond between the two and practice our shared abilities", said Commander of the base, Brigadier General Ronen Simchi. "Most of the Hercules missions serve the infantry forces and …More

Chuck Hagel in a meeting with Jewish organizational leaders affirmed his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge. "Sen. Hagel met with the leadership of several major American Jewish organizations at the White House as a part of his ongoing outreach," said a Jan. 22 statement from Hagel's office at Georgetown University, where President Obama's defense secretary nominee is a professor. "He discussed his commitment to the US-Israel …More

The extensive operational activity of the IAF wasn't always the well-oiled machine we know today. In fact, it all began with one small step: 65 years ago, the "Air Service" (Sh'erut Avir), the aerial arm of the 'Hagana' organization--later the IAF, completed its first aerial mission. Advanced operations planned in a formation structures and completing missions under pressure are the central efforts in the IAF. During the Independence War, in the morning of January 15 1948, three Israeli planes took off--A very …More

To honor its recent graduating class of pilots, the Israeli Air Force created a thorough photo collage on its Facebook page, profiling its fleet of aircraft. Scroll down to read about a few of our favorites, and make sure to look through the image gallery below for a look at the complete fleet. Beechcraft King Air Entered into service in 1990, this patrol and reconnaissance plane has an improved system that goes beyond previous models. The IAF uses it extensively on routine security assignments and in …More

The Givati Brigade's Forward Resuscitation Company is a reserve company composed mostly of soldiers who began their service in this brigade – professionals who serve today as specialist doctors, paramedics, anesthesiologists, surgeons, and more. During emergencies, the Company's role is critical in saving soldiers' lives in combat, as it establishes forward facilities in which to provide advanced medical care to injured soldiers – equipped with respirators, blood transfusion equipment, and other …More

International leaders have warned Syria against employing chemical weapons in its ongoing civil war, after US satellite imagery showed regime forces moving chemical weapons into strategic positions in preparation for use. Syrian leaders have denied any intentions towards chemical warfare. Syria’s 20-month-long conflict has killed more than 30,000 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. International concern has recently been sparked, as President Bashar al-Assad is believed to have …More