Global spending on C2/C4ISR systems is expected to remain robust over the forecast period, primarily due to the increased importance of C2/C4ISR systems in modern or fourth-generation warfare. Modern conflicts include a mix of physical combat, mental and tactical elements, where the enemy could be a nation or a faction of society such as a terrorist group. In such situations, C2/C4ISR systems are considered by most nations to be the most important tools for victory. The market consists of land, space, naval and airborne systems.

The development of military communication systems that facilitate truly network centric operations (NCOs) continues to present challenges for researchers and developers and has done so for more than a decade. During this time a great deal of focus has been placed on applying commercial products and internet design methodologies to military systems. While this strategy has met with some success, it does not always translate well to the more challenging environment encountered in military operations.

C4ISR systems have evolved at a rapid pace over the last few decades and countries are now forced to regularly upgrade their products in order to keep abreast of the changes in technology, the cost of which can be significantly high. This is prompting countries to take advantage of improvements nurtured in the civilian marketplace to integrate them into military applications. The US government for example is making use of commercial hardware and software for its C4ISR systems, in order to keep rising costs in check.

The global C2/C4ISR market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.98%. This is primarily because key markets, such as the US, are expected to prioritize spending on C2/C4ISR systems; an element of defense spending that was not given much importance until the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts.

Next generation highly mobile front line communications are shifting away from the high power single line of contact methods, toward a low power mesh system where more operators are linked together through a multi-node mesh system. These systems will be less prone to single points of failure and will be self healing such that the communications packets find the best route to the destination based on traffic levels and available system bandwidth.

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In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:

• Global C2/C4ISR market size and drivers: comprehensive analysis of the global C2/C4ISR market through 2011–2021, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for C2/C4ISR. It also provides an insight on the spending pattern and modernization pattern in different regions around the world.
• Recent development and industry challenges: insights into technological developments in the global C2/C4ISR market, and an extensive analysis of the changing preferences of armed forces around the world. It also provides the current consolidation trends in the industry and the challenges faced by industry participants.
• SWOT analysis of the global C2/C4ISR market: exhaustive analysis of industry characteristics, determining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by the C2/C4ISR market.
• Global C2/C4ISR market-country analysis: analysis of the key markets in each region, providing an analysis of the top segments of C2/C4ISR expected to be in demand.
• Major programs: details of the major programs in each segment expected to be executed during the forecast period.
• Competitive landscape and strategic insights: detailed analysis of competitive landscape of the global C2/C4ISR industry. It provides an overview of key C2/C4ISR manufacturers catering to the global C2/C4ISR sector, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives and a brief financial analysis.

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Scope

• Analysis of the global C2/C4ISR market size from 2011 through 2021
• Analysis of defense budget spending pattern by region
• Insights on the region wise defense modernization initiatives
• Sub-sector analysis of the C2/C4ISR market
• Analysis of key global C2/C4ISR market by country
• Key competitor profiling specifically focusing on the global C2/C4ISR market

Reasons to Buy

• Gain insight into the global C2/C4ISR market with current and forecast market values
• Get insight on key drivers and attractiveness parameters of the global C2/C4ISR market
• Provides detailed analysis of the defense spending pattern including forecasts of military spending till 2021 by region
• Gain insight into various defense modernization initiatives around the world
• Gain insight into various factors impacting the growth of the global C2/C4ISR market
• Gain comprehensive sub-sector market analysis including market values and forecasts of the leading defense spending nations of the world
• Provides a thorough analysis of the recent developments in the global C2/C4ISR including technological trends, industry consolidation trend, and key challenges
• Provides detailed information of the leading C2/C4ISR programs of major defense spending countries across of the world
• Detailed profiles of 20 leading global C2/C4ISR and related systems manufacturing companies across the world including products and services, key alliances, contracts, and recent developments pertaining to the global C2/C4ISR segment.

Key Highlights
Global spending on C2/C4ISR systems is expected to remain robust over the forecast period, primarily due to the increased importance of C2/C4ISR systems in modern or fourth-generation warfare. Modern conflicts include a mix of physical combat, mental and tactical elements, where the enemy could be a nation or a faction of society such as a terrorist group. In such situations, C2/C4ISR systems are considered by most nations to be the most important tools for victory. The market which consists of land, space, naval and airborne systems, is expected to increase from US$16.2 billion in 2011, to US$21.8 billion by 2021 increasing at a CAGR of 2.98%. This is primarily because key markets, such as the US, are expected to prioritize spending on C2/C4ISR systems; an element of defense spending that was not given much importance until the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts. Land-based systems are expected to account for the majority of the global C2/C4ISR market, followed by airborne, naval and space systems. Over the forecast period, cumulative global expenditure on C2/C4ISR systems is forecast to value US$209.1 billion.

Keywords
Defense, global C2/C4ISR, land based C2/C4ISR, space based C2/C4ISR, airborne C2/C4ISR, naval C2/C4ISR, Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) Rapid Response – Third Generation (R2-3G) program, Strategic Services Sourcing (S3) program, Laser Infrared Targeting and Navigating (LITENING) Targeting Pod System, Command Hardware Systems-4 ,US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) system,Communication Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management, Global Navigation Satellite System , Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System,Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Vehicle (SV4),Wideband Global SATCOM Program ,Mission Planning Enterprise Contract-II (MPEC-II),Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) radars, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (Glonass), SISFRON program, SISGAAZ program, The Green Pine, EWTS, EMP bomb,ARTHUR artillery tracing radars, Advanced Countermeasures Electronic Systems Electronic Warfare Systems (ACES), AN/MPQ-64F1 Improved Sentinel radars, airborne radios, Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs),Mirage F1 communication systems,Network for Spectrum ,Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems,Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems, Mode S Transponders, Mode 4/5 Identification Friend or Foe Encryption, High Frequency radio replacements, Multifunctional Information Display Systems for Link 16 operations, Have Quick II radios, Satellite Communications and Common Secure Voice encryptions,Wideband Global SATCOM system (WGS)

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The Veterans Bill of Rights is a petition written by Project Foot that is in search of a congressional sponsor. In just the past few days, hundreds of letters have been generated to Congressmen and Senators from over 40 states. The Veteran's Bill of Rights states:

Dear Leaders of this Nation,

We the People of these United States do humbly ask that you codify once and for all a Bill of Rights for our Veterans and their families.

American military personnel and their families have offered their lives to defend our nation and its way of life. As such, there are certain rights that our society must afford to them to ensure that their service does not hinder a fair chance at the American dream.

1. All who are eligible, or may be eligible, for any military or veterans benefits should be treated with the utmost in respect and dignity at all times regardless of age, gender, branch of service, disability, military rank, sexual orientation, gender identity, location, mental illness, substance abuse status, incarceration status or type of discharge.

2. All service members, veterans and military family members who are, or who might be eligible for federal or state benefits have the right to be accurately and fully informed of those benefits on a regular basis. There should never be a "hidden government program" that is not prominently publicized.

3. All service members and military family members have the right to the best available reintegration training and lifetime support that should begin during their service when possible. The right to reintegration training should not be limited due to type of discharge.

4. Although it is impossible to provide all services at all facilities, the overall quality of services available should be equivalent regardless of geographical location within the United States and its territories.

5. All reasonable government efforts and policy changes should be made to ensure that employment rates for veterans in the United States are maintained at a rate that is equivalent to or higher than the average of the population at all times.

6. No Veteran should ever be left homeless. Any homeless veteran who has served 180 days or more of active duty should be entitled to transitional housing accommodations that are equivalent to the base housing that would be afforded to an E-1 on active duty with the same family status. In the event that conduct in one of these facilities becomes an issue, incarceration or treatment for the behavioral issues should be used as alternatives.

7. Chemical, radioactive, or environmental exposure: All service members, veterans, and military family members have the right to know the existence of any exposure or potential exposure and to receive notice and reasonable treatment for any exposure in a timely manner.

8. Combat stress reaction (CSR), Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Shell Shock, Battle Fatigue and any future names for any diagnosis that results in similar symptoms that are, or may have been caused by combat exposure during warfare or training exercises are to be treated at all times in a professional and medical manner. No service member or veteran who suffers from such a condition should ever be treated with less respect than if their injuries were purely physical.

9. Incarcerated Veterans should remain eligible for and should be afforded any medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatments to which they would otherwise be entitled. Additionally, upon release from incarceration, reintegration support should be afforded to them.

10. Children of service members or veterans have the right to quality education while accompanying a service member on orders.

The petition can be found at http://www.Veterans-Bill-of-Rights.org.

About Project Foot
Project Foot is a charity to benefit military families and homeless veterans. The mission of Project Foot is to strengthen military families and assist homeless and unemployed veterans. Project Foot believes that the only time the words “Veteran” and “Homeless” should ever be used in the same sentence is: “Veterans Helping the Homeless.” Project Foot achieves this mission through providing a wide variety of programs that include:

• Housing and Food for Homeless Veterans
• Communication Assistance for Military Families
• Travel Assistance for Military Families
• Resume Writing and Job Search Services for Unemployed Veterans
• Providing Business Attire for Unemployed Veterans

Through these programs, Project Foot aims to keep the bonds of our military families strong throughout their service to our Armed Forces and to be there to pick up the pieces when one of our brave men or women falls through the cracks.

The LONGBOW LLC is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

During flight tests, the UTA controlled the payload and flight path of a Gray Eagle (MQ-1C) while both the Apache and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) were airborne. This marks the first time an unmanned vehicle has been controlled from the cockpit of an Apache, a significant accomplishment in manned-unmanned teaming.

"The Apache Block III recently completed dynamic flight testing where the UTA data link system controlled the Gray Eagle UAS, demonstrating full interoperability," said Lt. Col. Bailey, U.S. Army Apache Block III product manager.

"This is a true game-changing capability that the Block III will bring to the warfighter."

"UTA enhances situational awareness between Apache pilots, ground commanders and the UAS to create a true net-centric battlespace," said Mike Taylor, LONGBOW LLC president and director of LONGBOW programs in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "This system ensures operational superiority and increases survivability."

The test program proved the design and provided valuable operational understanding to the Apache crew. All goals of this phase of UTA testing were completed with 100 percent success.

The LONGBOW UTA is a two-way, high-bandwidth data link for Apache aircrews that allows sensor and flight path control of the UAS.

UTA-equipped Apaches enable aircrews to exercise control of UAS at long ranges and receive real-time, high-definition streaming video on their multi-function displays. The UTA is fully integrated into the Block III Apache mission computer.

The U.S. Army's LONGBOW system consists of either a fire control radar or a UTA, a fire-and-forget radar frequency HELLFIRE millimeter wave-guided missile, and an all-digital M299 launcher for the AH-64D Apache helicopter. The LONGBOW UTA will be fielded on the Apache Block III aircraft beginning in 2012.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

“Arms Transfers To The Middle East And North Africa: Lessons For An Effective Arms Trade Treaty” examines arms transfers to Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen since 2005.

"These findings highlight the stark failure of existing arms export controls, with all their loopholes, and underline the need for an effective global Arms Trade Treaty that takes full account of the need to uphold human rights." said Helen Hughes, Amnesty International’s principal arms trade researcher on the report.

"Governments that now say they stand in solidarity with people across the Middle East and North Africa are the very same as those who until recently supplied the weapons, bullets and military and police equipment that were used to kill, injure and arbitrarily detain thousands of peaceful protesters in states such as Tunisia and Egypt and are even now being deployed by security forces in Syria and Yemen."

The main arms suppliers to the five countries included in the report were Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the UK and the USA.

At least 11 states have provided military assistance or allowed exports of weaponry, munitions and related equipment to Yemen, where some 200 protesters have lost their lives in 2011. These include Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, the UK and the USA.

Despite the continued brutal crackdown against protesters, the international community has failed to take strong action to stem arms transfers to Yemen.

Obtaining arms data for Syria is difficult as few governments officially report on their arms trade with the Syrian government. But it is known that the biggest arms supplier to Syria is the Russian Federation with reportedly about 10 per cent of all Russian arms exports going there.

Russia does not publish an annual report on its arms exports meaning that its arms transfers to the region cannot be quantified.

India authorized the supply of armoured vehicles to Syria whilst France sold munitions between 2005 and 2009.

Amnesty International has identified 10 states whose governments licensed the supply of weaponry, munitions and related equipment to Colonel Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi’s Libyan regime since 2005, including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and the UK.

During the conflict, al-Gaddafi forces have committed war crimes and abuses which may amount to crimes against humanity.

Spanish cluster submunitions and MAT-120 cargo mortar projectiles, licensed for sale in 2007, were found in Misratah by Amnesty International, when it was being shelled by al-Gaddafi forces earlier this year. This equipment is now prohibited by the Cluster Munitions Convention which Spain signed less than a year after supplying the submunitions to Libya.

Much of the heavy weaponry found in Libya by Amnesty International researchers looks to have been manufactured during the Soviet-era – Russian or Soviet-made, especially the Grad rockets which are inherently indiscriminate and have been widely used by both sides during the conflict. Some of the munitions found were also Chinese, Bulgarian and Italian such as the Type 72 anti-tank mines, rocket fuses and 155mm artillery rounds, respectively.

At least 20 states have sold and supplied small arms, ammunition, tear gas and riot control agents, and other equipment to Egypt. The USA has been the biggest - annually providing $1.3 billion. Others include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, and Switzerland.

Shotguns were widely used in both Egypt and Bahrain by the security forces with devastating lethal effect.

Amnesty International recognized that the international community has taken some steps this year to restrict international arms transfers to Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Yemen. But the organization said that existing arms export controls had failed to prevent the transfer of arms in the preceding years.

“Arms embargos are usually a case of ‘too little too late’ when faced with human rights crises,” said Helen Hughes.

“What the world needs is rigorous case by case evaluation of each proposed arms transfer so that if there is a substantial risk that the arms are likely to be used to commit or facilitate serious human rights violations, then the government must show the red stop light.”

“This proactive ‘Golden Rule’ is already in the UN draft paper for the Arms Trade Treaty talks which resume at the United Nations in February. If the major arms exporters fail to adopt the Golden Rule, and recklessly continue a ‘business as usual’ approach, fuelling human rights crises as we have witnessed across the Middle East and North African region this year, it will needlessly shatter lives and undermine global security."

There is a growing demand from combatant commanders, law enforcement officers and political establishments for NLW capabilities. This demand is driven by the need to help them win the hearts and minds of the non-combatant population and prevent world outcry and media attention due to non-combatant casualties. As a result, many governments have entered into non-lethal weapons R&D and procurementdedicated to the full spectrum of public safety, law enforcement, crowd control and asymmetric warfare.

The new Non-Lethal Weapons: Technologies & Global Market – 2012-2020 report is the first and only comprehensive study of the emerging NLW market. In this report HSRC analysts forecast that the NLW market will triple towards 2020. The growth will be accelerated in 2016-2020 to a 17% CAGR due to pipeline NLW technologies.

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The report, segmented into 61 sub-markets, offers for each sub-market 2011 data and 2012-2020 forecasts and analysis. In more than 320 pages, 124 tables and 99 figures, the report analyses and projects the 2012-2020 market and technologies from several perspectives, including:

• Market forecast by user sector: military and law enforcement sectors
• Market forecast by application: (e.g., blunt impact NLW, disperse NLW, anti-vehicle NLW, non-lethal ammunition, NLW RDT&E)
• National markets in 16 leading countries, (e.g., US, UK, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Brazil)
• The NLW Industry: Vendors , Products, Prices ,Performance and RDT&E programs
• Market analysis (e.g., market drivers & inhibitors, SWOT analysis)
• Business environment (e.g., competitive analysis, recent contracts)
• Current and pipeline technologies
• Business opportunities and challenges

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The global military rotorcraft market which comprises attack,multi-mission and rescue, transport, reconnaissance and observation and maritime helicopters, is expected to record growth over the forecast period. This is because significant markets such as the US and Europe are expected to modernize their existing fleets which were either exhausted or destroyed during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 4.17% by 2021.

Governments worldwide are increasingly following a procurement pattern that favors multi-mission and rescue helicopters. A prevalent trend of declining military budgets is being observed across various countries including major defense spenders such as the US, the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. As a result, countries are increasingly adopting a strategy of acquiring multi-mission and rescue helicopters. Such helicopters can be used for a variety of purposes such as ground attack, air assault, cargo, surveillance, rescue operations, humanitarian aid and trooptransport. Therefore, even though the market for transport helicopters is larger in cumulative terms, the market for multi-role helicopters is expected to grow at a faster rate of 10.2%.

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South American countries are expected to modernize their helicopter fleets with countries such as Brazil, Chile, Venezuela and Colombia locked in an arms race to establish military supremacy in the region. Even though Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Peru and Argentina are expected to procure military rotorcrafts, the market is expected to decline marginally by 2021. This is because the modernization programs for major markets in the region such as Brazil and Venezuela are expected to be finalized by 2018.

Recent defense budget cuts in countries such as the US, the world's largest defense spender, have resulted in the cancellation of large scale programs such as the country's contract with Bell Helicopter to build 500 small reconnaissance and attack helicopters. In 2009,the government also cancelled the contract for VH-71 presidential helicopters owing to overrunning costs. These cuts are not isolated to the US and are expected to adversely affect the demand for military rotorcraft globally.

Strong economic growth, territorial disputes, terrorist threats and modernization programs will create a significant demand for military helicopters in the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to comprise 30.8% of the total military rotorcraft market by 2021.

The period of war in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in many countries losing their existing fleet of helicopters either to maintenance issues or attacks from hostile forces. With the conflict on the verge of ending, many countries, such as the US and the UK, are now expected to increase their spending on replacing their fleets.

Global defense cuts, combined with a substantial increase in the cost of developing technologically superior weapons platforms, haveencouraged collaboration between governments, services and industries. This has led to an increase in joint development and procurement programs, which are expected to continue over the next ten years. Similarly, technology agreements between countries manufacturing helicopters have been prevalent for many years and are expected to increase over the forecast period.

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The laser, which has comparable output to a simple presentation pointer, potentially has the sensitivity and selectivity to canvas large areas and detect improvised explosive devices - weapons that account for around 60 percent of coalition soldiers' deaths. Marcos Dantus, chemistry professor and founder of BioPhotonic Solutions, led the team and has published the results in the current issue of Applied Physics Letters.

The detection of IEDs in the field is extremely important and challenging because the environment introduces a large number of chemical compounds that mask the select few molecules that one is trying to detect, Dantus said.

"Having molecular structure sensitivity is critical for identifying explosives and avoiding unnecessary evacuation of buildings and closing roads due to false alarms," he said

Since IEDs can be found in populated areas, the methods to detect these weapons must be nondestructive. They also must be able to distinguish explosives from vast arrays of similar compounds that can be found in urban environments. Dantus' latest laser can make these distinctions even for quantities as small as a fraction of a billionth of a gram.

The laser beam combines short pulses that kick the molecules and make them vibrate, as well as long pulses that are used to "listen" and identify the different "chords." The chords include different vibrational frequencies that uniquely identify every molecule, much like a fingerprint. The high-sensitivity laser can work in tandem with cameras and allows users to scan questionable areas from a safe distance.

"The laser and the method we've developed were originally intended for microscopes, but we were able to adapt and broaden its use to demonstrate its effectiveness for standoff detection of explosives," said Dantus, who hopes to net additional funding to take this laser from the lab and into the field.

This research is funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security. BioPhotonic Solutions is a high-tech company Dantus launched in 2003 to commercialize technology invented in a spinoff from his research group at MSU.

In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:

• Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market size and drivers: comprehensive analysis of the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market through 2011–2021, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants. It also provides an insight on the spending pattern and modernization pattern in different regions around the world.
• Recent development and industry challenges: insights into technological developments in the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market, and an extensive analysis of the changing preferences of naval forces around the world. It also provides the current consolidation trends in the industry and the challenges faced by industry participants.
• SWOT analysis of the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market: exhaustive analysis of industry characteristics, determining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market.
• Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market-country analysis: analysis of the key markets in each region, providing an analysis of the top segments of Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants expected to be in demand.
• Major programs: details of the major programs in each segment expected to be executed during the forecast period.
• Competitive landscape and strategic insights: detailed analysis of competitive landscape of the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants industry. It provides an overview of key naval shipbuilders catering to the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants sector, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives and a brief financial analysis.

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Key Highlights

The global naval vessels and surface combatants market is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX.XX%. The global naval vessels and surface combatants market is estimated to value US$XX.X billion in 2011. The market consists of corvettes, frigates, destroyers, cruisers, amphibious ships and aircraft carriers, and is expected to increase during the forecast period. This is because the main markets, including the US and some countries in Europe and Latin America, are expected to modernize their naval fleets which were neglected during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The market is expected to increase at a CAGR of XX.XX% during the forecast period, to reach US$XX.X billion by 2021; destroyers are expected to account for the majority of the global naval and surface combatants market, followed by frigates and aircraft carriers. During the forecast period, cumulative global expenditure on naval vessels and surface combatants is expected to reach US$XX.X billion.

Scope

• Analysis of the global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market size from 2011 through 2021
• Analysis of defense budget spending pattern by region
• Insights on regional defense modernization initiatives
• Sub-sector analysis of the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market
• Analysis of key global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants markets by country
• Key competitor profiling

Reasons to Buy

• Gain insight into the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market with current and forecast market values
• Gain insight into the key drivers and attractiveness parameters of the global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market
• Provides you with a detailed analysis of defense spending patterns including forecasts of military spending till 2021 by region
• Gain insight into various defense modernization initiatives around the world
• Gain insight into various factors impacting the growth of the Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market
• Gain insight into sub-sector markets with comprehensive market values and forecasts of the leading defense spending nations
• Provides you with knowledge on recent developments in the global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants market including technological trends and key challenges
• Provides detailed information on leading Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants programs of major defense spenders across the world
• Provides detailed company profiles of 20 leading Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants companies and related systems manufacturing companies across the world

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Australian owned defence contractor Faxtech Pty Ltd (trading as "Point Trading") today struck a blow for the local defence manufacturing industry by issuing legal proceedings against Israeli arms conglomerate Elbit Systems Limited in the Federal Court.

Point Trading alleges that Elbit and its subsidiary ITL Optronics Limited have made serious misrepresentations to the Australian Department of Defence in regard to Point Trading’s exclusive rights to supply the Mini N/SEAS night vision monocular, N/CROS binoculars and other ITL products in Australia and New Zealand. Point Trading claims that the misrepresentations constitute misleading and deceptive conduct, and will ask the Court for an injunction to stop Elbit, ITL and Elbit’s local subsidiary, Elbit Systems of Australia Pty Ltd, from continuing to make misleading statements about Point Trading’s rights.

Elbit has attempted to circumvent the contract ITL signed with Point Trading by signalling to the Department of Defence to stop purchasing from Point Trading and to deal direct with Elbit and ITL. In doing so, Elbit has not only ignored the terms of the contract ITL signed with Point Trading, but has damaged the business and reputation of a long standing Australian company and jeopardised highly skilled Australian manufacturing jobs.

“We have been supplying these products to the Defence departments in Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years, and overnight Elbit has jeopardised the goodwill in our business. We have been in business for almost 25 years and employ 25 full time and 5 casual staff in Melbourne. By attempting to deal direct with our customers, Elbit is simply trying to tie up the market and put Australian manufacturers out of business” said Avner Klein, CEO Point Trading Group.

Point Trading has been the exclusive supplier of the ITL Optronics Mini N/SEAS and N/CROS product lines in Australia and New Zealand since 1989. In 2010 it signed a an agreement with ITL Optronics, under the terms of which ITL agreed to provide Point Trading with the right to locally manufacture, assemble and service night vision products until at least 2020, making it the last manufacturer of night vision products in Australia. In that agreement, ITL also promised it would not market, sell or manufacture the products directly or indirectly in Australia or New Zealand. By doing this deal, Point Trading ensured continuity of supply to both the Australian Defence Force and the New Zealand Defence Force.

“It was becoming increasingly clear that ITL was unable to meet its commitments to Point Trading and so we took the important step of securing supply for Australia and New Zealand by buying the rights to the products,” said Klein.

“Point Trading paid ITL for exclusivity rights for the manufacture and further development of the Mini N/SEAS and N/CROS products, and obtained production process files including drawings and processes, and letters of authority to be the exclusive supplier for the Australian and New Zealand Market until 2020,” said Klein.

Elbit Systems, one of the world’s largest defence companies, bought a majority share in ITL in October 2010 and since then has constantly attempted to circumvent the existing contract and damage Point Trading’s business by trying to trade direct in order to cut out Australian businesses.
Point Trading has attempted to resolve this matter to no avail and has now no option but to ask the Federal Court to adjudicate in order to protect its business.

“Large defence conglomerates like Elbit come to Australia and push around small organisations like us that have successfully served our Defence Force for more than two decades, use bullying tactics and contribute little to the local economy,” said Klein.

The case will be first heard on Friday 23 September 2011 at 9:30am at the Federal Court in Melbourne.