TEL AVIV — An Israeli defense major has established a facility to develop energy security systems and technology.

Elbit Systems has set up a laboratory to help protect Israel’s new energy facilities in the Mediterranean Sea.

Executives said the facility was developing technology as well as techniques that would integrate off-the-shelf equipment to defend against Hizbullah or other adversaries.

“We have several solutions that are generating considerable interest,” Elbit project manager Azarel Ram said.

The Israel Air Force and Navy have been examining options to defend the new natural gas exploration blocs in the eastern Mediterranean. The U.S. firm Noble Energy, preparing to begin full-scale production in 2013, has led in the development of three wells believed to contain nearly 10 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Elbit has been exploring the use of a range of unmanned platforms to defend the Israeli energy assets, some of which are located more than 100 kilometers from the Israeli coast. They included unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels as well as observation systems.

So far, the Israeli government has not issued any major contract for energy security. Executives said the government has not determined who would pay for the estimated $500 million project. (Copyright © 2012 East West Services, Inc. 04/18/12)