TEL AVIV \u2014 Israel’s Defense Ministry has awarded Elbit Systems rights to develop the next generation of the Israeli Army’s digital C4I network under a series of multiyear contracts estimated at $117 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Haifa-based firm, developers of the Israeli Army’s operational network known here as Tzayad, or Digital Army Program, (DAP), <\/span>announced Thursday receipt of the bundled MoD contracts, most of them extending over a six-year period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the contracts, them, <\/span>Elbit will develop what it described as “a master program that computerizes all operations in the land forces, connecting all field and command echelons into a central data transfer network.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We’re talking about a technological upgrade that will provide an enormous leap in combat effectiveness that comes from networked operations,” Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit president and CEO, Chief Executive Officer <\/span>told Defense News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It will allow us to transition from the transfer of information to the transfer of knowledge … all based on the secure, robust digital net that has proven itself so well in recent years,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a Jan. 15 interview, Machlis said <\/span>The project is part of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF’s) plan to support advanced, interoperable communications systems through the “smart” transfer of huge amounts of bandwidth, he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In parallel, the firm will upgrade, maintain, supply and support communications systems and wideband radio systems on behalf of the Israeli military under a private financing initiative (PFI) <\/span>outsourcing deal with MoD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This order strengthens our communications roadmap and preserves our technological lead in this critical field,” the Elbit executive said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “No less important, it is a clear manifestation of the level of satisfaction in the IDF and MoD.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added, “We’re excited about delivering a next generation of systems that will serve all echelons, from the single soldier up through the command chain and vice versa.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n