Defense-update-logo.jpg , Defense-Update logo ''Defense Update'' is an online defense magazine published by Lance & Shield Ltd. from

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

History

Print (1978-early 1990s)

''Defense-Update'' was established in 1978 as a printed magazine, founded by IDF Retired LtCol. David Eshel. (דוד אשל) It was the first international defense publication published in Israel and the first privately operated defense magazine published in Israel. Initially, it was known as ''Born in Battle,'' commemorating Israel's 30th Anniversary. It was first published in six editions, themed after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 30th anniversary,

Israel Air Force The Israeli Air Force (IAF; , commonly known as , ''Kheil HaAvir'', "Air Corps") operates as the aerial and space warfare branch of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Indep ...

's 30th anniversary, the

Yom Kippur War The Yom Kippur War, also known as the Ramadan War, the October War, the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, or the Fourth Arab–Israeli War, was fought from 6 to 25 October 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states led by Egypt and S ...

, Israel's Armor Corps, Israel's infantry and special forces and the

Six-Day War The Six-Day War, also known as the June War, 1967 Arab–Israeli War or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states, primarily United Arab Republic, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan from 5 to 10June ...

. Over 200,000 copies of these English titles were published as soft and hardcover books and magazines in several versions. They were also translated into German, Spanish, and French editions. Following the launch of the book series, ''Born in Battle'' expanded its coverage to include general military topics,

military history Military history is the study of War, armed conflict in the Human history, history of humanity, and its impact on the societies, cultures and economies thereof, as well as the resulting changes to Politics, local and international relationship ...

strategy Strategy (from Greek στρατηγία ''stratēgia'', "troop leadership; office of general, command, generalship") is a general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions of uncertainty. In the sense of the " a ...

and techniques. The magazine changed its name to ''Defense Update International'' to reflect these changes. Over the next 12 years, 99 issues of ''Defense-Update'' were published, distributed worldwide, written, edited, and managed by a small team of Israeli veterans. At the peak of its success, during the late eighties, ''Defense-Update'' was published simultaneously in four languages (English, German, French, and Hebrew). ''Defense Update'' ceased publication in the early 1990s. Its Hebrew predecessor 'Romach' (רומח) which was founded by Eshel Dramit in 1986, https://www.nli.org.il/en/journals/NNL-Journals990010193430205171/NLI continued publication for several years.

''Defense Review International'' (till 1997)

''Defense-Updates publisher, Lance & Shield, embarked on a new concept, supporting Israel's defense export activities with a dedicated magazine highlighting Israel's defense technology programs. The magazine called ''Defense Review International'' was published periodically to support major airshows and defense exhibitions. The editor was Tamir Eshel, (תמיר אשל) David's son and the assistant editor in charge of the production of Defense Update publications. By 1994, Defense Review International had transformed from a print publication into a

CD-ROM A CD-ROM (, compact disc read-only memory) is a type of read-only memory consisting of a pre-pressed optical compact disc that contains computer data storage, data computers can read, but not write or erase. Some CDs, called enhanced CDs, hold b ...

-based directory-style publication, employing a groundbreaking

hyperlink In computing, a hyperlink, or simply a link, is a digital reference providing direct access to Data (computing), data by a user (computing), user's point and click, clicking or touchscreen, tapping. A hyperlink points to a whole document or to ...

editing technology developed by Israel's

hypertext Hypertext is E-text, text displayed on a computer display or other electronic devices with references (hyperlinks) to other text that the reader can immediately access. Hypertext documents are interconnected by hyperlinks, which are typic ...

pionee
Enigma
The new digital and interactive defense directory became an online publication a year later. Lacking local industry understanding and acceptance of the new initiative, the publication could not muster enough support to sustain the directory publication. Moreover, the host service provider went bust, practically erasing the young website from the web around 1997. Defense-update sponsorship logo-copy

Online ''Defense Update'' (2010-2022)

Five years later, ''Defense-Update'' returned - now focusing on advanced defense technology, with a special focus on Israel's defense topics. By 2002 ''Defense-Update'' published the first edition, which was irregularly updated until January 2004, when the new online venture once more assumed the brand and tradition of the former magazine. In 2009, Noam Eshel (נועם אשל) joined the editorial team as a photographer and news editor. As assistant editor for technology, Noam was responsible for several phases of upgrading the pionee
defense-update
into a modern website. As of November 2024, it serves about 70,000 unique monthly users and reaches nearly a million readers annually. Defense-Update covers worldwide defense news topics, highlighting

, defense technology, and military affairs related to

, Israel's defense industries, Global War on Terror, and global military power.

Coverage

''Defense Update'' coverage spans land, air, naval, C4ISR, intelligence, and

network-centric warfare Network-centric warfare, also called network-centric operations or net-centric warfare, is a military doctrine or theory of war that aims to translate an information advantage, enabled partly by information technology, into a competitive advantag ...

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

warfighting tactics and techniques, homeland defense etc. Defense-Update covers

Armoured Fighting Vehicle An armoured fighting vehicle (British English) or armored fighting vehicle (American English) (AFV) is an armed combat vehicle protected by vehicle armour, armour, generally combining operational mobility with Offensive (military), offensive a ...

s (AFV),

Aerospace Aerospace is a term used to collectively refer to the atmosphere and outer space. Aerospace activity is very diverse, with a multitude of commercial, industrial, and military applications. Aerospace engineering consists of aeronautics and astron ...

- and unmanned systems, as well as

robotics Robotics is the interdisciplinary study and practice of the design, construction, operation, and use of robots. Within mechanical engineering, robotics is the design and construction of the physical structures of robots, while in computer s ...

and Precision Strike weapons. Analysis of trends in Command, Control, Communications and Computing, Intelligence,

Surveillance Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, many activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering, influencing, managing, or directing. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment, such as ...

, and

Reconnaissance In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...

(C4ISR) is included. The site focuses on trends such as hybrid and

asymmetric warfare Asymmetric warfare (or asymmetric engagement) is a type of war between belligerents whose relative military power, strategy or tactics differ significantly. This type of warfare often, but not necessarily, involves insurgents, terrorist grou ...

, network-centric operations,

force protection Force protection (FP) is the concept of protecting military personnel, family members, civilians, facilities, equipment and operations from threats or hazards in order to preserve operational effectiveness and contribute to mission success. It ...

and

homeland security Homeland security is an American national security term for "the national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards where American interests, aspirations, and ways of life can thrive" to ...

. Defense-Update and its authors are referenced by defense establishments and publications, including the British Ministry of Defens

, U.S. Arm

The site maintains a defense forum on LinkedIn and an interest group on Facebook, distributes instant updates on Twitter, and supports media channels on Flickr and YouTube, featuring photos and videos. It is designed to enable the effective use of mobile phones.

References

{{Reflist
Defense-Update content index on Aeroflight World's Best Armor Websites/ Israel's Armored Corps Association Website - Yad Lashiryon

External links

Defense Update websiteDavid Eshel Merkava article, Armor Magazine
Magazines published in Israel Magazines established in 1978 Military magazines Online magazines with defunct print editions