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A high tech and unmanned "bionic wasp" capable of destroying a cell of militants or guerrillas is among a series of futuristic weapons being discussed a group of experts set up by the Israeli Vice Prime Minister, Shimon Peres.
A spokeswoman for Peres yesterday confirmed a report that the veteran politician had set up a 15-strong group of security, high technology business and academic experts to discuss the use of battlefield "nanotechnology" by Israeli forces.
The report in the mass circulation daily Yedhiot Ahronot said that the emerging technology would allow weapons, based on "building blocks" the size of a millionth of a millimetre, and of the sort that "one sees today only in science fiction films."
It quoted Mr Peres, a holder of the Nobel Peace Prize, as telling a recent meeting: "The war in Lebanon proved that we need tiny weapons. There is no point in sending a hundred-million-dollar aircraft against a suicide terrorist. From this we will assemble the weapons of the future and also innumerable civilian developments. That is where the future is."
One of several other possible military assets using the same technology, according to the report, would be a "miniature robot, equipped with a tiny engine, will be able to act as a drone, squeezing into narrow alleys in enemy territory, jamming communications equipment, photographing intelligence targets and even killing armed men by shooting or explosions."
It said Mr Peres was seeking to raise "hundreds of millions of dollars" to develop the ideas.
It added researchers were also seeking to develop a glove or sleeve using the same technology that would be attached to soldiers' arms and "significantly increase their ability to strike, break down doors and lift heavy objects."
- INDEPENDENT
