The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has unveiled a sighting device called Pegion that will enable soldiers to shoot down moving targets such as incendiary balloons and kites.

The new electro-optic Pegion sight system has been developed by Smart Shooter in collaboration with the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure in the Ministry of Defense.

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Using the Pegion system, soldiers can follow a moving target in various scenarios such as in the case of balloons and kites that carry explosives or incendiaries into Israeli territory.

The latest development comes in response to the flammable balloons launched by Gaza terrorists during past months that have extensively damaged agricultural lands in the southern part of the country.

Pegion is capable of performing rapid mathematical calculations using computer software and determines when the weapon that it is mounted on should shoot at the target. This enables the firing of the first bullet at the target accurately.

“Pegion has been designed to hit targets at a long distance, with a focus on reducing potential damage to bystanders in urban warfare.”

Israeli Army Matmon unit commander Nadav Livne told media sources: “We have attained the ability to intercept kites, and we also have very good capabilities for the threat of incendiary balloons.

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“We have several interception methods, some in the very basic development stages, others already for immediate use in accordance with the operational field needs of the Gaza division.”

Pegion has been designed to hit targets at a long distance, with a focus on reducing potential damage to bystanders in urban warfare.

At present, Smart Shoot is in the process of developing an advanced version of the Pegion system, which is reported to be lighter.

As part of a pilot that tested the capabilities of the system in the field, the IDF and the Ministry of Defense installed it among combat soldiers in the Golan, Paratrooper, and Givati Brigades.

Following the testing, the ministry ordered undisclosed volumes of the sights systems from Smart Shooter in recent months.

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