Israeli Army Develops ‘Tammuz-4’ Missile with Electro-Optical Sensors

Streaks of light are seen from Ashkelon as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets (Reuters)
Streaks of light are seen from Ashkelon as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets (Reuters)
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Israeli Army Develops ‘Tammuz-4’ Missile with Electro-Optical Sensors

Streaks of light are seen from Ashkelon as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets (Reuters)
Streaks of light are seen from Ashkelon as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets (Reuters)

Israel's Rafael defense contractor, will unveil during the Eurosatory defense expo in Paris the sixth-generation missile "Tammuz-4," equipped with electro-optical sensors.

The company spokesman said the missile could be launched in a salvo of up to four missiles and an extended range of 50 kilometers when launched by helicopter.

The missile has a 32-kilometer range when launched from a ground-based system.

A single operator can launch up to four missiles at once, which "significantly increases the gamut of long-range targets that can be hit, and thereby strengthens the element of surprise," the company said.

The missile also has the feature of what the company called a "hand over" mode, where the rocket can be launched by one system and then controlled by another seamlessly.

"With the help of images provided by various electro-optical sensors, the missile locates the target on its own, marks it, and helps the operator neutralize it more accurately and simply," the company said.

The new features are helpful when attempting to hit a specific target among similar targets in the same area.

The first version of the missile became operational 40 years ago and is used in 39 countries.

Israel does not explicitly say that it is developing this missile for its war with Iran and its militias.

The general manager of Rafael's Land and Naval Division, Ran Gozali, said the new missile's development addresses the Israeli army's unique challenges in its next war, which will take place over long distances.

Head of the Precision Tactical Weapons Systems Division Zvi Marmor said this missile began developing after the war in October 1973, and the fourth version of it has now been invented in light of the changing challenges.

Marmor confirmed that the new missile would be displayed for the first time next week at the Eurosatory expo.



Russian Minister Says Moscow Can 'Definitely' Work with Trump Administration

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Russian Minister Says Moscow Can 'Definitely' Work with Trump Administration

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 16, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Russia can "definitely" work with the administration of Donald Trump after he is sworn in as US president next month, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Ryabkov reiterated accusations by Moscow that "reckless" actions by the West had raised the risk of nuclear war, and said Russia wanted to reduce the potential for conflict.
"Managing this crisis and getting to less shaky ground than now should be put on the agenda of hypothetical discussions with the Americans," Ryabkov told a panel discussion.
"Is it possible to work with the Trump administration? It's definitely possible," he replied when asked about the potential for cooperation.
His comments were the latest signal that Moscow, once Trump takes office, hopes for an improvement in bilateral ties which the Kremlin has said are currently "below zero".
President Vladimir Putin said last month that Trump's comments about ending the war in Ukraine - which the American has said repeatedly he could halt very quickly, but without saying how - were deserving of attention.
Ryabkov said he wanted to underline that no contacts of any kind had so far taken place between Russia and the incoming Trump team.