Janes: Israel acquires its first cruise missile

Janes: Israel acquires its first cruise missile
By DOUGLAS DAVIS

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LONDON

Israel has achieved a major military breakthrough by acquiring its first surface-to-surface cruise missile, according to an exclusive report to be published by the London-based Jane’s Defense Weekly.

Sources in London told The Jerusalem Post that Washington has twice refused to sell Israel its Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.

But the June 16 issue of Jane’s Defense Weekly will reveal that Israel has overcome the obstacle by modifying its own air-launched Delilah missile to enable it to be launched from the ground.

The journal quoted defense sources as saying that the range of the ground-launched Delilah is “well beyond 300km,” and that an additional boost engine has been the key to making the adaptation possible.

The missile is reported to be highly sophisticated. It is said to be able to “loiter” over a target area before engaging targets with a choice of 30kg warheads.

The missile, which can use a variety of infrared and electro-optic systems to pinpoint enemies up to 16km away, is capable of selecting its own targets. In addition, it can be used as an unmanned reconnaissance vehicle.

Originally developed as an aerial decoy, the Delilah evolved into a
modular air-strike weapon deployed since the 1990s with Israel’s F-16D multi-role fighter aircraft and upgraded F-4E-2000 Kurnass attack aircraft.

The journal notes that in addition to converting the Delilah, other reports suggest that Israel is exploring the possibility of converting Rafael’s AGM-142 Popeye III as well as the Gabriel 3 anti-ship weapon into land-attack missiles, each with a range of up to 300km.

It also quotes unconfirmed reports suggesting that Israel Aircraft Industries is developing a longer-range cruise missile that could be deployed from the Israel Navy’s Dolphin-class submarines.