Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has reported interest by South Korea in the Iron Dome missile and rocket defense system.

Israel’s state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems cited talks with Seoul for the sale of Iron Dome. Executives said Rafael has already been briefing Iron Dome in meetings with the South Korean Defense Ministry.

“You can certainly include them in the club of interested countries,” Rafael chief executive officer Yedidya Yaari said.

In an interview with Israel’s Army Radio, Yaari said South Korea and other foreign militaries were impressed by Iron Dome’s interception of Palestinian rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. During the latest war in August 2014, Iron Dome was said to have reached an interception rate of 90 percent.

“It is very worried not only about rockets, but other things as well,” Yaari, referring to South Korea, said.

Industry sources have reported agreements by at least two unidentified countries for Iron Dome. They cited negotiations with such countries as India, Poland and Singapore.

Rafael has also been developing a system to intercept mortars. In February 2014, the company unveiled Iron Beam, a high-energy laser prototype meant for deployment by 2016.

“We are already working on a model that strikes rockets in the air with a very high rate of success,” Yaari said. “But we need money for development.”

  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, South Korea in talks with Israel about procuring Iron Dome