“Israel” Girds Up Loins for Gas War in the Mediterranean
(TRANSLATED BY moqawama.org team)
By Yehya Dbouk
Al-Akhbar, 07-09-2011
Apparently, "Israel" is aware of the massive threats approaching its oil and gas installations in the Mediterranean. Also aware of its possible devastating effects on the international investment and insurance enterprises, "Israel" has to send reassuring messages, every now and then, showing its capability of maintaining proper protection against all kinds of threats.
In the same reassuring context, senior "Israeli" security sources have unfolded the possession of highly advanced military defensive facilities that provide security and protection to all "Israeli" gas installations in the Mediterranean, and counter all sorts of threats, be it from Hizbullah or any other "terrorist" organization.
According to senior security officials, "Tel Aviv's discoveries of gigantic gas reservoirs in the Mediterranean Sea have intensified the need to expand the "Israeli" army's activities and protective measures in the maritime sector."
"It is a real possibility that the threats on the offshore gas rigs will turn into attempted attacks in the near future." the officials told the "Israeli" "Globes Financial News" newspaper.
Recently, minister for home front war Matan Vilnai warned that there is a serious threat to the gas fields from accurate Syrian missiles. According to the "Globes", Vilnai was pointing at the Russian "Yakhont" Cruise Missile, that can hit accurately at 300 km, and is more capable of hitting a fixed target, like a gas rig. The "Globes" mentioned that "one of the security establishment's assumptions is that whatever Syria has will eventually reach Hizbullah." which is "Israel's" worst nightmare.
Security officials uncovered a few of long listed scenarios that have been preoccupying security leaders this past year: Targeting the "Israeli" gas platforms with volleys of accurate long range missiles, suicide booby-trapped boats, takeover of a rig by a group of "terrorists", planting underwater explosives on rigs, aerial vehicle attack on the rig, or launching a torpedo missile from a submarine.
According to the "Globes", the "Israeli" security establishment is trying to provide all means and capabilities to counter those threats in the Mediterranean.
"Unmanned naval patrol vehicles produced by "Israel's" security industries will protect national interests at sea, with a focus on the gas fields in the Mediterranean." the "Globes" points out. Sources say that among the means that the "Israel" Navy has designated to protect sensitive installations are the "PROTECTORS", unmanned naval patrol vehicles produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
This will double the Navy's manpower that regularly patrols near the gas fields, and provide a response to" terrorist" attempts to attack them.
As a reassuring message for the inside and the outside, the "Globes" mentions that Rafael's unmanned naval patrol vehicles are equipped with advanced radar systems that enable them to warn security forces about suspicious movements approaching the rigs using sophisticated night and day vision equipment and an independent firing system.
"The PROTECTOR is not the only solution to the threats on the gas fields." The sources point out to calm the foreign entrepreneurs and international insurance companies fears. The "Israeli" Air Force routinely operates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) , which fly above the gas fields, and are equipped with advanced identification and detection systems, most of which are classified. The systems supply real-time information to the command and control center about all unusual behavior.
""Israel" has the capability to protect its gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea" said Former "Israel" Navy Commander Vice Admiral (res.) David Ben-Ba'ashat, in an interview with "Globes". "We must protect our installations out at sea. We must protect them since they are considered easy prey by Hizbullah and others.
Of course the need to protect these sites will expand as "Israel" relies more and more heavily on natural gas. This will have wide range ramifications over the next few years on the way the "Israel" Navy will equip itself, including building active air and sea circuits. I have no doubt that the Navy's power structure will be affected by this need and that significant steps are being taken on the matter." he said.
By Yehya Dbouk
Al-Akhbar, 07-09-2011
Apparently, "Israel" is aware of the massive threats approaching its oil and gas installations in the Mediterranean. Also aware of its possible devastating effects on the international investment and insurance enterprises, "Israel" has to send reassuring messages, every now and then, showing its capability of maintaining proper protection against all kinds of threats.
In the same reassuring context, senior "Israeli" security sources have unfolded the possession of highly advanced military defensive facilities that provide security and protection to all "Israeli" gas installations in the Mediterranean, and counter all sorts of threats, be it from Hizbullah or any other "terrorist" organization.
According to senior security officials, "Tel Aviv's discoveries of gigantic gas reservoirs in the Mediterranean Sea have intensified the need to expand the "Israeli" army's activities and protective measures in the maritime sector."
"It is a real possibility that the threats on the offshore gas rigs will turn into attempted attacks in the near future." the officials told the "Israeli" "Globes Financial News" newspaper.
Recently, minister for home front war Matan Vilnai warned that there is a serious threat to the gas fields from accurate Syrian missiles. According to the "Globes", Vilnai was pointing at the Russian "Yakhont" Cruise Missile, that can hit accurately at 300 km, and is more capable of hitting a fixed target, like a gas rig. The "Globes" mentioned that "one of the security establishment's assumptions is that whatever Syria has will eventually reach Hizbullah." which is "Israel's" worst nightmare.
Security officials uncovered a few of long listed scenarios that have been preoccupying security leaders this past year: Targeting the "Israeli" gas platforms with volleys of accurate long range missiles, suicide booby-trapped boats, takeover of a rig by a group of "terrorists", planting underwater explosives on rigs, aerial vehicle attack on the rig, or launching a torpedo missile from a submarine.
According to the "Globes", the "Israeli" security establishment is trying to provide all means and capabilities to counter those threats in the Mediterranean.
"Unmanned naval patrol vehicles produced by "Israel's" security industries will protect national interests at sea, with a focus on the gas fields in the Mediterranean." the "Globes" points out. Sources say that among the means that the "Israel" Navy has designated to protect sensitive installations are the "PROTECTORS", unmanned naval patrol vehicles produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
This will double the Navy's manpower that regularly patrols near the gas fields, and provide a response to" terrorist" attempts to attack them.
As a reassuring message for the inside and the outside, the "Globes" mentions that Rafael's unmanned naval patrol vehicles are equipped with advanced radar systems that enable them to warn security forces about suspicious movements approaching the rigs using sophisticated night and day vision equipment and an independent firing system.
"The PROTECTOR is not the only solution to the threats on the gas fields." The sources point out to calm the foreign entrepreneurs and international insurance companies fears. The "Israeli" Air Force routinely operates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) , which fly above the gas fields, and are equipped with advanced identification and detection systems, most of which are classified. The systems supply real-time information to the command and control center about all unusual behavior.
""Israel" has the capability to protect its gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea" said Former "Israel" Navy Commander Vice Admiral (res.) David Ben-Ba'ashat, in an interview with "Globes". "We must protect our installations out at sea. We must protect them since they are considered easy prey by Hizbullah and others.
Of course the need to protect these sites will expand as "Israel" relies more and more heavily on natural gas. This will have wide range ramifications over the next few years on the way the "Israel" Navy will equip itself, including building active air and sea circuits. I have no doubt that the Navy's power structure will be affected by this need and that significant steps are being taken on the matter." he said.
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