In Geopolitics Today - Friday, November 12th
Israel Unveils ‘Game-Changing’ Electronic Warfare System and France Hosts International Conference on the Future of Libya
Israel Unveils ‘Game-Changing’ Electronic Warfare System
Israel has unveiled a new electronic warfare system that is said to be a major technological advantage in a combat scenario. Called the Scorpius, the weapons system made by Israel Aerospace Industries promises to revolutionise the use of electronic warfare. The Scorpius can apparently halt the electronic systems of a wide range of targets, boasting of an advantage over older forms of electromagnetic warfare by sending targeted beams at targets without interfering with other systems in the target’s vicinity.
If Israeli claims are true, the weapon would mark a low-cost electronic warfare system capable of being mounted on land, sea and air platforms. Unlike previous electronic warfare systems, the Scorpius uses what is called active electronically scanned array technology in order to scan its environment, after which the system can send narrowly targeted beams at “any wavelength, any frequency, any direction” against designated targets. These targeted beams have the ability to disrupt enemy electronic sensors, data communications, navigation and radar. Israel has said the new system will be considered part of a “soft protection” network, working in tandem with other units to disrupt and damage any target which utilises electromagnetic means to function — such as planes, drones and missiles.
A representative of Israel Aerospace Industries has said that the weapon is offensive in its design, providing the Israeli Defence Forces with a capability which is “very effective in engaging and disabling enemy systems.” The weapon is unique due to its ability to utilise a wide beam of electromagnetic energy for the purpose of target acquisition, after which multiple narrow beams fire at their intended targets. If the claims made by Israel Aerospace Industries regarding the capabilities are accurate, the weapon would provide Israel with a highly-advanced way to deal with multiple, cost-efficient drone systems at the same time by jamming electronic systems even if they are hundreds of kilometres away.
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France Hosts International Conference on the Future of Libya
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted leaders and diplomats in Paris for an international conference on the future of Libya. Stability in the resource-rich North African country has been hard to come by following the 2011 military intervention which overthrew Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, Libya has been embroiled in a bitter conflict between local warlords supported by outside powers. While the initial intervention was justified as a humanitarian mission, the authorization for the use of military force stemming from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 has led to a decade of bloodshed.
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Egypt, as well officials from the US, have all gathered to cement backing for a planned election and to facilitate the removal of foreign forces. The elections are part of a UN-backed peace process which seeks to end a decade of chaos which continues to draw in regional powers and undermine Mediterranean stability. But disputes remain between rival Libyan factions over the eligibility of certain factions to participate on top of issues related to the electoral process. And there are disagreements between outside powers too, as the conference has attracted many high-level officials from some of the countries intricately involved in the conflict, with Turkey and Russia sending lower-level representatives.
Nevertheless, the conference represents a high-stakes diplomatic effort by France, which has on multiple occasions sought to convene a meeting of key Libyan leaders and international stakeholders. Turkey has been the main military backer of the Government of National Accord, while the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt have openly supported Haftar’s Libyan National Army. Despite the intentions of those attending the conference, none of the international actors have clean hands in Libya. A UN report released in October revealed that all sides have been involved in violations of international humanitarian law.
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