INCREASED THREATS & INCREASED NEEDS:

Due to dramatically increased security threats, Israel must substantially increase its investments in new technologies, systems and intelligence capabilities to maintain its qualitative military edge (QME).

As part of the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance, America provides security assistance to Israel under the terms of 10-year Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). In 2016, the two countries signed a new MOU that will increase security assistance to help Israel meet the heightened security challenges of a deteriorating Middle East. Israel is a key U.S. partner and ally, and it is in America’s national interest to ensure the Jewish state has sufficient resources to effectively defend itself—by itself.

THE THREAT: ADVANCED MISSILES AND ROCKETS

Israelis live each day under the threat of attack by rockets,

missiles and armed drones. As terrorist organizations acquire larger and more sophisticated arsenals, this hazard is escalating. Hamas and Hezbollah—supplied and supported by Iran—have the capability to accurately hit all of Israel’s major population centers. Iran also continues to enhance its own ballistic missiles, which could be used to strike Israel with unconventional warheads.

ISRAEL’S NEED: IMPROVED ROCKET AND MISSILE DEFENSES

With America’s support, Israel has developed and deployed a multi-layered missile defense shield. The Iron Dome system now protects against short-range rocket attacks. In 2017, Israel will make operational the David’s Sling system, which defends against medium-range heavy rockets and cruise missiles, and likely the Arrow-3 system, which can intercept long-range, unconventional ballistic missiles. These systems will require ongoing investment to upgrade their capabilities against evolving threats.

THE THREAT: SOPHISTICATED ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS AND COMBAT AIRCRAFT

Hamas and Hezbollah are acquiring new surface-to-air missiles, which will challenge Israel’s air dominance. In addition, Syria, Iraq, Iran and other Persian Gulf states are purchasing large quantities of sophisticated combat aircraft and air defense missiles—potentially challenging Israel’s air superiority. In the air defense arena, Iran is slated this year to receive the advanced S-300 Russian radar-guided surface-to-air missile system, which can engage multiple aircraft simultaneously at a range of hundreds of miles.

ISRAEL’S NEED: ENHANCED AIRCRAFT NUMBERS AND CAPABILITIES

Israel has contracted for 50 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, America’s premier combat aircraft, at an estimated cost of $110 million per plane. In coming years, as Israel modernizes its fleet, it will need to spend tens of billions of dollars to acquire additional fighters—as well as new aerial tankers, cargo planes, helicopters, the V-22 tilt-rotor transport aircraft, and precision strike aerial munitions. Israel must also upgrade its airbases and defensive infrastructure to ensure its ability to operate while under any future attack from Hamas’ or Hezbollah’s rocket bombardments.

DEFENSE REQUIREMENTSISRAEL’S URGENT

PROTECTING ISRAEL AGAINST

AERIAL THREATS

Source: IDF

www.aipac.org

THE THREAT: NAVAL ATTACKS ON ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SHIPPING

Terrorist groups may disrupt energy production and maritime

commerce through suicide operations, missiles, attack drones or undersea mines; in 2013, Hezbollah flew a drone over Israeli gas platforms. The eastern Mediterranean is also the center of a large-scale naval buildup by neighboring states and outside powers. Accordingly, Israel faces threats to coastal energy facilities and industrial infrastructure from its border with Gaza to the port of Haifa.

ISRAEL’S NEED: STRONGER MARITIME DEFENSE

The Israeli navy has long been the smallest and least-funded of the IDF’s military branches. Israel must increase naval activity given that most trade and energy imports depend on sea transport, and Israel’s offshore energy infrastructure requires increased surveillance given recent natural gas discoveries that double the physical territory Israel must defend. The IDF requires additional defensive hardware and manpower, including modern missile defense systems, surface vessels and submarines.

THE THREAT: ADVANCED ANTI-TANK WEAPONS

Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorist groups now possess

advanced Russian and Iranian anti-tank guided missiles; during the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah used them to destroy or disable three dozen Israeli tanks. Outdated armored vehicles could cost IDF lives in any future fight. Iran produces the advanced Dehlaviyeh anti-tank system, which could pose a significant threat in any conflict in the hands of the IRGC or Iranian proxies.

ISRAEL’S NEED: ENHANCED, BETTER PROTECTED ARMORED FORCES

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are bolstering their ground forces by deploying additional Merkava IV tanks (at a cost of $6 million each) and hundreds of Israeli-designed and U.S.-produced heavy Namer armored troop carriers (costing $3 million apiece). The IDF is equipping these vehicles with unique and expensive “active defense” anti-rocket technology to defend Israeli troops. The IDF is also developing robotic vehicles for land combat in the future.

THE THREAT: CYBER WARFARE

Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and the Islamic State are investing heavily in offensive cyber tools. During

the 2012 Gaza conflict, the Israeli government faced more than 100 million cyberattacks. The volume and sophistication of such attacks continues to increase.

ISRAEL’S NEED: ENHANCED PROTECTION FOR ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS AND ALLIED COOPERATION

Israel is a world leader in developing cyber defense capabilities, allocating tremendous resources to this new dimension of warfare. The IDF is restructuring its various cyber forces into a unified military command.

THE THREAT: GROWING USE OF TUNNEL NETWORKS

Terrorist organizations on Israel’s borders are increasingly preparing

subterranean passages to attack and kidnap soldiers and civilians. During the 2014 conflict with Hamas, Israel discovered 32 tunnels in Gaza, 14 of which crossed into Israel. These tunnels have largely been rebuilt, and Hezbollah is undertaking similar efforts.

ISRAEL’S NEED: TECHNOLOGIES TO DETECT AND COUNTER TUNNELS

Israel is developing a range of new underground detection and counter-tunnel technologies at a cost of more than $100 million. When successfully deployed, these tools will enable the IDF to meet the complex challenge of locating, mapping and destroying terrorist tunnel networks. The U.S. military is helping fund this work and is interested in the technology for its own use.

PROTECTING ISRAEL AGAINST

EMERGING THREATS

PROTECTING ISRAEL AGAINST

GROUND THREATS

JANUARY 2017