Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Congress has linked assistance to Israel’s Iron Dome to a U.S. stake in the missile defense system.

The House approved a $600 billion defense budget for fiscal 2015 that nearly doubles U.S. funding for Iron Dome.

But the legislation linked the $351 million allocation for Iron Dome to U.S. subcontracts and a stake in the Israeli technology.

Under the legislation, Israel’s prime contractor, the state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, must share Iron Dome technology with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

The congressional report said the Pentagon agency must demonstrate that Israeli technology was transferred for all parts of the missile defense system.

Congressional sources said the legislation reflected Washington’s determination to acquire rights to any Israeli or foreign weapons system funded by the United States.

Earlier this month, the administration of President Barack Obama blocked an Israeli plan to export the U.S.-funded David’s Sling missile defense system to Poland.

“Given the significant U.S. taxpayer investment in this system, the
committee believes that co-production of parts and components should be done
in a manner that will maximize U.S. industry participation in interceptor
and battery deliveries for Israel’s defense needs,” the House Armed Services
Committee said.

The linkage established by Congress was directed by House Armed Services
Committee chairman Rep. Buck McKeon. The committee’s report said Iron Dome
would not receive more than last year’s allotment of $176 million without
data on cost and schedule from Israel.

So far, Congress approved $720 million for Iron Dome since 2011. In
2013, Congress allocated funds for an Iron Dome production facility in the
United States, particularly the assembly of the Tamir interceptor by
Raytheon.

  Congress attaches tech-sharing conditions to increased funding for Israel’s Iron Dome, House Armed Services Committee, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Rep. Buck McKeon