Since Osama Bin Laden's extermination Al Qaeda's clout in the killing business of terror has declined and the growth and influence and resurgence of ISIS as an alternative international terror outfit has the entire world and Al Qaeda in eerie anticipation. The whackos from the middle-east have become a force to reckon with, carrying horrifying acts of atrocities on fellow Muslims and other nationals.
As per Wikipedia - The Islamic State, previously calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and also known by the Arabic acronym Daʿesh, is an unrecognized state and a Sunni Jihadist group active in Iraq and Syria in the Middle East. In its self-proclaimed status as a caliphate, it claims religious authority over all Muslims across the world and aspires to bring most of the Muslim-inhabited regions of the world under its political control beginning with territory in the Levant region which includes Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Cyprus and part of southern Turkey. The group grew significantly under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, gaining support in Iraq as a result of alleged economic and political discrimination against Iraqi Sunnis.
ISIS operations are confined to Iraq, Syria and parts of the middle-east, but If ISIS were to expand its operations and strike Israel, it certainly may regret it. Because Israel is known for its hard-line approach on anyone who interferes in its internal affairs or in any way harms its citizens. If such a scenario does come about then ISIS would have to confront some of Israel's mightiest weapon systems.
The list is as follows:
NO.1 MERKAVA MK.4 MAIN BATTLE TANK
Israel has hundreds of kilometers of land borders, and it is surrounded by fanatical Islamic enemies. Just as it must guarantee itself air supremacy, it must guarantee itself supremacy in battle on land. This supremacy is achieved only through good maneuverability and tremendous fire power.
Essentially one of the most formidable and best Main Battle Tanks in the world, the Merkava ("Chariot") is used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The tank began development in 1999 and entered official service in 2004. The Merkava is a very capable armored vehicle. The model has a new fire-control system, the El-Op Knight Mark 4. Removable modular armor, from the Merkava Mark IIID, which is used on all sides, including the top and a V-shaped belly armor pack for the underside. This modular system is designed to allow for damaged tanks to be rapidly repaired and returned to the field. Tank rounds are stored in individual fire-proof canisters, which reduce the chance of cook-offs in a fire inside the tank. The turret is "dry"; no active rounds are stored in it.
Some features, such as hull shaping, exterior non-reflective paints, and shielding for engine heat plumes mixing with air particles to confuse enemy thermal imagers, were carried over from the IAI Lavi program of the Israeli Air Force to make the tank harder to spot by heat sensors and radar.
The Mark IV includes the larger 120 mm main gun of the previous versions, but can fire a wider variety of ammunition, including HEAT and sabot rounds like the APFSDS kinetic energy penetrator, using an electrical semi-automatic revolving magazine for 10 rounds. It also includes a much larger 12.7 mm machine gun for anti-vehicle operations (most commonly used against technicals).
The new fire-control system enables the Merkava to shoot down helicopters such as the Russian Mil Mi-24 and the French Gazelle, both of which are used by Israel's neighbors. The Mark IV has the Israeli-designed "TSAWS (Tracks, Springs, and Wheels System)" caterpillar track system, called "Mazkom" by troops. This system is designed to endure the harsh basalt rock conditions of Lebanon and the Golan Heights with minimal "track-shedding".
The tank carries the Israeli Elbit Systems BMS (Battle Management System), a centralised system that takes data from tracked units and UAVs in theater, displays it on color screens, and distributes it in encrypted form to all other units equipped with BMS in a given theater. The Merkava IV has been designed for rapid repair and fast replacement of damaged armor with the implementation of sections of modular armour that can be easily removed and replaced. It is also designed to be cost-effective in production and maintenance, and as a result its unit cost is lower than for a number of other tanks used by Western armies.
Operational History
Dozens of Merkava tanks were damaged during the 2006 Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006. Hezbollah squads armed with Metis and Coronet antitank missiles ambushed IDF armored forced and caused losses. Merkava tanks proved in these clashes a higher survivability compared with other wars, especially the Merkava Mk. 4. In the Yom Kippur War, 60% of missiles that hit tanks caused serious damage, whereas in the Second Lebanon War, 60% of missiles that hit Merkavas of all versions caused no serious damage. In fact, 90% of the tanks hit from missiles in the Second Lebanon War were returned to operational service.
Since the Second Lebanon War, the upgrading of Israeli tanks has continued with the installation of active armor systems, which improve tanks survivability against the even the most advanced missile threat on the field. Every Merkava tank delivered to the IDF in the past few years is equipped with the Trophy active protection system made by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. to automatically detect and intercept incoming antitank missiles. During operations in Gaza, the Trophy succeeded in neutralizing attempts to use missiles to hit tanks even before the tank crew were even aware of being targeted. The Merkava 4 today is a completely different tank from the previous ones.
NO 2. SPIKE MISSILES
Spike mounted on a Spider Light Strike Vehicle of the Singapore Army
Just as recent U.S. airstrikes in Iraq have targeted IS tanks and artillery, the Israelis will be hunting down armor, armed pickup trucks and any other target they can find.
Israeli Apache helicopters use the Hellfire, but another missile that Israel will likely employ is the Spike, a family of several types of missiles launched from aircraft, helicopters, vehicles or dismounted soldiers. Spike is a fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile with a tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Various models have a range of 2.5 to 25 kilometers, with the missile climbing and then descending at a sharp angle to strike a tank on its thin top rather than its more thickly armored front. A deadly weapon to watch out for.
No. 3 SUPER HERON UAV
Keeping constant watch on a fast-moving nomadic fighting units is critical. Fortunately, Israel has pioneered the development and use of modern unmanned aircraft. Its latest system is the Super Heron reconnaissance drone, a souped-up version of the Heron that is used by France, India, Turkey and other operators. The Super Heron can fly for more than 45 hours at an altitude of 30,000 feet and a speed of more than 170 miles per hour.
Many jihadis became accustomed to operating in Iraq despite the presence of U.S. drones. Yet the Super Heron, equipped with visible light and infrared cameras, radar and SIGINT receivers, will give the IDF a potent aerial-surveillance capability and sleepless nights for the Jihadi elements.
NO.4 F-16 SUFA THUNDERSTORM JET FIGHTERS
Israel's 400 advanced fighter jets are its most powerful weapons against IS, or at least if ISIS goes for a stand-up fight instead of terrorism. The F-16I SUFA is the customized Israeli version of the U.S. F-16. Equipped with cutely named air-to-surface missiles like Popeye or Delilah, as well as U.S.-made Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) smart bombs, it can destroy jihadi vehicles and fortifications.
NO. 5 BOEING AH-64D APACHE HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS
In theory, an even more devastating weapon than the F-16 SUFA should be Israeli AH-64D Apache attack helicopters used for close air support. During the 1990s, Israeli AH-64A's frequently attacked Hezbollah outposts in Lebanon. On 13 April 1996, during Operation Grapes of Wrath, an Apache fired two Hellfire missiles at an ambulance in Lebanon, killing six civilians. During the al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000, AH-64s were used to kill senior Hamas figures, such as Ahmed Yassin and Adnan al-Ghoul. On 24 May 2001, a privately owned Lebanese-registered Cessna 152 flew into Israeli airspace, it was intercepted by two AH-64s and shot down by a Hellfire missile, killing the pilot. On 22 March 2004, an Israeli AH-64 used a Hellfire missile to kill Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin, also killing his two bodyguards and nine bystanders. IAF Apaches played a prominent role in the 2006 Lebanon War, launching strikes into Lebanon targeting Hezbollah forces. In recent years, Israeli Apaches have been used to patrol the skies over Gaza; strike operations against insurgents using these helicopters has become a frequent occurrence.
Finally, the ISIS Jihadis will have to watch their butts just in case they have the gumption to attack Israel, and unfortunately if these poor sods do, they will be meted out the same devastating and unrelenting bombardment as their counterparts the Hamas and Hezbollah have been tasting over the years. (With inputs Adapted from National Interest & Wikipedia)
