Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has disclosed a classified Israeli
military project funded by Washington.

The administration of President Barack Obama has overseen publication of
a bid request that disclosed an Israeli project to house its new Arrow-3
ballistic missile defense system. The bid, published by the U.S. Army,
included details of the planned $25 million facility, including the
thickness of the walls.

The Israeli project, posted on May 14, was first reported by the
London-based Jane’s Defence Weekly.

Officials acknowledged that Israeli defense and military officials contacted the Pentagon for an explanation of the disclosure of a top secret project. The Pentagon refused to comment on the release of the bid.

“The estimated magnitude of construction is between $10 million and
$25 million,” the U.S. Army said. “The maximum contract duration is 485
calendar days from the issuance of the notice to proceed.”

Officials said the details of the Arrow-3 facility were published to
enable bids by U.S. contractors. They said the facility would be financed
through the $3.1 billion in annual U.S. aid to Israel.

The details were included in more than 1,000 pages of bid
specifications, released in May 2013. The project called for a blast-proof
facility at Tel Shahar to house six interceptors in vertical launch
position. Israel also required a gantry crane to prepare additional Arrow-3
interceptors for launch.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District plans to
enter into a firm-fixed-price, design-bid-build construction contract for
facility construction to include but not limited to reinforced protected
concrete structures, approximate area — 450 square meters each, including
storage and operations areas,” the U.S. Army said.

The U.S. Army also described the proposed cooling and heating systems
for the Arrow-3 facility. But officials said the specifications could be
revised after contracts were awarded. The deadline for a response was set
for June 14.

“Reinforced concrete pile foundations, protective reinforced concrete
walls and reinforced concrete protected roofs, protective doors/gates and
interior & exterior paint finishes,” the army said. “Building systems will
include: electricity, communication, air conditioning, fire detection and
lifting devices.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has overseen major military projects in
Israel, including the construction of the General Staff headquarters in Tel
Aviv. Washington also financed and directed the establishment of Israeli
army and air force bases, some of them transferred from the West Bank to
Israel’s Negev Desert.

“The Israelis know how we work, and it’s hard to imagine that they were
genuinely surprised,” an official said.

  Arrow-3, Israel asks why U.S. disclosed details of top-secret military base, Pentagon, Tel Shahar, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers