Essential Calculations of Rationality and Irrationality in US Nuclear Deterrence

"The rational is not thinkable without its other, the non-rational, and it never appears in reality without it. The only question is, in what form the other appears, how it remains in spite of all, and how it is grasped." (Karl Jaspers, Reason and Existence, 1935)

China Launches Satellite with Saudi Payload

China on Monday announced the successful launch of a lunar communications relay satellite designed to support a mission to put a lander and rover on the far side of the moon by late 2018. The Chang’e-4 mission was originally supposed to be launched in 2015 but was delayed due to changes in the mission’s design.

IAF Commander: “Israel First Country to Use F-35 in Combat”

“The 'Adir' (F-35I) aircraft are already operational and flying combat missions. In fact, we have performed the first operational F-35 strike in the world. We attacked twice in the Middle East using the F-35 (and) we are the first in the world to do so. The Israeli Air Force is a pioneer and a world leader in operating air power". These remarks were made by IAF Commander, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, who spoke today (Tuesday) at the International Air Force Commander Conference.

IAF Holds International Air Force Conference

This week, the International Air Force Commander Convention, led by IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, will commence. Senior air force commanders from over 20 countries will participate in the convention, which commemorates the IAF’s 70th anniversary. “This is an opportunity for us to open a window for many countries to see Israel, its views, its history, its aerial capabilities, its military capabilities, and the high quality of its people,” stated IAF commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin.

Epsilor to Deliver Rechargeable Batteries for Harris Falcon Radios to South East Asian Army

Epsilor-Electric Fuel, an Israel-based manufacturer of batteries and chargers for defense applications, won a contract to deliver military rechargeable batteries for Harris Falcon man-pack and handheld radios (PRC-117 and PRC-152) to a South East Asian military customer.

Epsilor’s batteries passed a series of compatibility and operational testing which included mechanical, electrical, and communication interface verification.

IAI’s RAMTA Named “Elite Supplier” for 2017 by Sikorsky

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI’s) RAMTA Division was named “Elite Supplier” for 2017 by aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky. Back in 2003, IAI developed a solution for a challenge posed by Sikorsky: reducing the weight and the price of the horizontal folding stabilizers for Black Hawk (UH60M) aircraft by 20%. Since 2002, RAMTA has been the sole provider of this product for Sikorsky, winning follow-up contracts for ten years.

Israel Shipyards Delivers Two More Shaldag Boats to Argentina

Argentina on Saturday took delivery of two Shaldag MK II fast patrol boats from Israel Shipyards, according to reports by DefensaNAC and 25Digital.

The boats are the last of four such vessels purchased under a high-profile $49 million deal signed late 2016. The first two boats were delivered earlier this year.

Bahrain Purchases Hundreds of “Bunker Busters” from the US

The US State Department has approved the sale of General Purpose (GP) and Penetrator Warhead bomb bodies to Bahrain for an estimated cost of $45 million, according to dsca.mil.

“The Government of Bahrain has requested 3,200 General Purpose (GP) and Penetrator Warhead bomb bodies to include: 1,500 MK-82 (500lbs) GP bomb bodies, 600 MK-83 (1,000lbs) GP bomb bodies, 600 MK-84 (2,000lbs) GP bomb bodies, and 500 BLU-109 (2,000lbs) Penetrator Warhead bomb bodies.”

Watch: US Marines Received First CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, delivered the first CH-53 King Stallion helicopter to the US Marine Corps (USMC). The aircraft is the first of an expected 200 helicopters for the Marine Corps' fleet.

A New Issue of Israel Defense Magazine: The Israel-Iran War

In the wake of the recent escalation in the confrontation between Israel and Iran, the new issue of Israel Defense magazine presents an in-depth analysis of the volatile situation: Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser discusses Israel’s intelligence challenges in the Iranian context, Lt. Col. (res.) Rafi Ofek surveys Iran’s nuclear program as reflected from the documents obtained by the Mossad, and Dr. Doron Itzhakov examines Iran's endeavors to establish itself as a regional hegemony in the Middle East.