WASHINGTON — The U.S. Congress on Friday approved $500 million for Israeli
missile and rocket defense.
The vote by Congress far exceeded the request by the Bush
administration. The administration sought only $270 million for Israeli
missile and rocket defense.
Under the allocation, Israel could launch a program to develop systems
for medium- and long-range rocket defense. The U.S. funding for fiscal 2007
would also enhance the Israel-U.S. Arrow-2 missile defense program, Middle East Newsline reported.
In May 2006, the Israeli Defense Ministry selected Raytheon and the
state-owned Rafael, Israel Armament Development Authority for initial
development of a short-range ballistic missile interceptor. The selection
was made in cooperation with the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency. The
Rafael-Raytheon team defeated a competing consortium of Boeing and the
state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries.
The latest funding was also meant to help develop navigation systems for
missiles, fighter-jets and unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. military has
acquired a range of Israeli-origin UAVs.
Officials said the latest congressional move augments U.S. military aid
to Israel. In fiscal 2006, Israel received more than $2.2 billion in defense
assistance from the United States.
Israel has not launched a program to defend against short-range missiles
or rockets. They would include the Kassam-class missiles launched by Hamas
and its allies from the Gaza Strip as well as the Katyusha-class 122 mm
rockets fired by Hizbullah during its 34-day war against Israel, which ended
on Aug. 14.
On Saturday, a Kassam missile fired from the northern Gaza Strip struck
a home in the Israeli city of Sderot. Two people were injured from shrapnel.
Israeli officials said the Defense Ministry has been examining a
laser-based rocket interceptor developed by Northrop Grumman. A Northrop
Grumman delegation briefed the Israeli military and ministry on the Skyguard
system in early 2006.
