Israel's Defense Ministry intends to procure up to eight Iron Dome
missile and rocket defense systems to foil attacks from Lebanon and the Gaza
Strip. Officials said the expanded procurement has been enabled by a U.S.
decision to relay $205 million for Israeli defense against short- and
medium-range rockets.
"The American aid will transform Iron Dome into a nationwide defense
umbrella," an official said.
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In May 2010, the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama approved
$205 million for Iron Dome. Officials said the funding, approved by
Congress, would allow for the purchase of six Iron Dome systems.
The Defense Ministry has already ordered two Iron Dome systems from the
state-owned manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The first
batteries were expected to become operational by late 2010 following final
trials.
Officials said the Defense Ministry and the Israel Air Force have been
mulling deployment options for Iron Dome, meant to intercept missiles and
rockets with a range of up to 80 kilometers. They said the preferred option
was to store the systems in Air Force bases rather than deploy the batteries
in fixed locations.
"We envision Iron Dome as a system that could protect cities against
missiles and rockets in their terminal phase of flight," another official
said. "We believe that Hamas and Hizbullah will try to use their long-range
rockets to target strategic facilities."
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