DefenceTalkIsrael’s ground-breaking surveillance technology was once feted as a prized export bolstering diplomatic ties abroad, but reports the secret spyware was also turned on citizens at home has trigged domestic outrage. Bombshell allegations in Israeli media centre on the controversial Pegasus malware made by the Israeli firm NSO, which can turn a phone into a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/domestic-use-of-israels-spyware-sparks-scandal-at-home-77858/

DefenceTalkA US-led maritime exercise including 60 nations and organizations has kicked off in and around Gulf waters with Israel joining for the first time alongside nations that do not recognize it. The US navy said Tuesday that the 18-day biennial International Maritime Exercise (IMX) since Monday includes 50 vessels and 9,000 personnel from more than […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-joins-us-led-mideast-maritime-drill-77813/

DefenceTalkIsrael announced Thursday a deal with Germany to develop and purchase three submarines from German industrial giant Thyssenkrupp for three billion euros ($3.4 billion). “The new submarines will upgrade the capabilities of the Israeli navy, and will contribute to Israel’s security superiority in the region,” Defence Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement. According to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-buys-three-dakar-submarines-from-germany-77715/

DefenceTalkTwo Israeli commando officers were killed by friendly fire in the occupied West Bank overnight, the army said on Thursday. The two officers were on patrol around their base in the Jordan Valley when they were “misidentified and mistakenly killed” by Israeli army fire, the military said on Twitter. “Immense sorrow this morning with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-commandos-killed-by-friendly-fire-in-west-bank-77678/

DefenceTalkIsrael will maintain “unrestricted freedom” to act against Iran regardless of any nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Monday. Bennett made the comments to the Israeli parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee as an Iranian official said there had been “good progress” towards reviving a 2015 nuclear agreement […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-says-free-to-act-with-or-without-iran-deal-77663/

DefenceTalkUS lawmakers green-lit $1 billion Thursday to resupply Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system after funding was controversially stripped from a separate bill following a revolt from the Democrats’ left flank. The money had originally been included in legislation addressing a looming government shutdown and a potential October debt crisis. But a group of progressives […]

DefenceTalkUS Central Intelligence Agency chief William Burns was due in Israel Tuesday for talks on common foe Iran, as rising tensions overshadow talks on restoring a landmark nuclear deal. A spokesman for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gave no details of the agenda for the CIA chief’s talks in Israel. But the Walla News website said […]

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Israel of CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters with Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Israel […]

DefenceTalkIsraeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz will meet his French counterpart in Paris this week for talks that will include an “update” on the Pegasus spyware scandal, his office said Tuesday. A ministry statement said Gantz will leave Wednesday for talks with French Defence Minister Florence Parly on topics including the crisis in Lebanon, nuclear negotiations […]

DefenceTalkSyria’s air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over Homs province early Thursday, the second airstrike this week, Syrian state media reported. A military source told Syrian state news agency SANA that the attack had caused no casualties, inflicting only material damage. “At 01:13 am… the Israeli enemy carried out an aerial attack targeting several positions in […]