Iron Dome - Israel's gamechanger

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http://theasiandefence.blogspot.com/2009/03/israel-runs-successful-iron-dome-tests.html

Israel runs successful 'Iron Dome' tests

The Iron Dome anti-rocket shield passed a critical test in the past 48 hours, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday evening, in a message that will be welcomed by residents of the rocket-battered western Negev. During the test, a number of rockets were launched, "of the same type that were fired in recent years at Israel," and the Iron Dome system responded "accordingly," the Defense Ministry said, using terminology indicating a successful interception of the projectiles. The Iron Dome system is slated to defend southern and northern Israel from Hamas and Hizbullah rockets, and be a key component in a multi-layered missile defense system that includes the Arrow anti-ballistic missile shield.



Iron Dome is being developed by the Defense Ministry's Administration for the Development of Weapons and the Technological Industry (Maf'at) in conjunction with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Sources in the ministry expressed satisfaction with the test, describing it as a "milestone" and adding that the trial had verified simulations and research work. Pinchas Buchris, director-general of the Defense Ministry, congratulated Iron Dome engineers on the successful test, and said that accelerated work would enable its installation in the near future.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the development of a multi-layered missile defense system was a "national mission aimed at reaching the stage in which a clear majority of missiles do not reach their targets." Earlier this month, Danny Gold, head of Research and Development at Maf'at, said work on the Iron Dome had reached its "final stage" and was running "ahead of schedule." "This system can be developed in a fifth of the time it would take to develop other systems, and at a tenth of the cost," Gold said. "It is the cheapest system in the world."
 

bhramos

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Israel's Iron Dome test declared successful

Iron Dome test declared successful

Defense Ministry says Rafael-developed rocket defense system proven capable of intercepting, destroying incoming threats

Hanan Greenberg Published: 07.15.09, 20:17 / Israel News

The defense establishment and the Rafael Armament Development Authority say they have held successful tests of the Iron Dome rocket defense system over the past few days. The system succeeded in intercepting and destroying targets.

The Iron Dome system was developed by Rafael in order to defend Israel from rocket and missile attacks. The Defense Ministry stated that "the tests that were conducted this week complete a series of successful tests of the Iron Dome system".

The ministry added that all of the systems involved – which include a radar, control system, launcher, and interceptor – were fully functional during the tests.

It stated that the completion of the tests constitutes an important milestone on the establishment's multilayered defense plan for Israel.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak responded to the news by saying, "A multilayered defense system is Israel's national and strategic goal. A system such as this will provide a layer of defense from Qassam and land-to-land missile threats, and will allow the defense establishment and the IDF to fulfill their highest duty – the defense of Israel – in the best way."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...747278,00.html
 

1.44

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Iron Dome test declared successful

Iron Dome test declared successful

Defense Ministry says Rafael-developed rocket defense system proven capable of intercepting, destroying incoming threats
Hanan Greenberg
Published: 07.15.09, 20:17 / Israel News
The defense establishment and the Rafael Armament Development Authority say they have held successful tests of the Iron Dome rocket defense system over the past few days. The system succeeded in intercepting and destroying targets.

The Iron Dome system was developed by Rafael in order to defend Israel from rocket and missile attacks. The Defense Ministry stated that "the tests that were conducted this week complete a series of successful tests of the Iron Dome system".
The ministry added that all of the systems involved – which include a radar, control system, launcher, and interceptor – were fully functional during the tests.
It stated that the completion of the tests constitutes an important milestone on the establishment's multilayered defense plan for Israel.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak responded to the news by saying, "A multilayered defense system is Israel's national and strategic goal. A system such as this will provide a layer of defense from Qassam and land-to-land missile threats, and will allow the defense establishment and the IDF to fulfill their highest duty – the defense of Israel – in the best way."
Iron Dome test declared successful - Israel News, Ynetnews
 

venom

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It can provide effective defense against Chinese MBRL's.....
 

bhramos

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It can provide effective defense against Chinese MBRL's.....
i feel it is almost similar to our Multi-Layer AD system.
as we also used Israeli help.
even greenpine radar.
so both almost same capabilities.
but not 100%
as we use Modified Prithvi missile
 

K Factor

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i feel it is almost similar to our Multi-Layer AD system.
as we also used Israeli help.
even greenpine radar.
so both almost same capabilities.
but not 100%
as we use Modified Prithvi missile
The Iron Dome is a lot more low scale low key than a Ballistic Missile defense.

Using PAD for role similar to this is not feasible, why, because it not economically viable to use a Rs. 10 crore missile to shoot down a Rs 100,000 missile.
 

A.V.

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By Sheera Frenkel

Israel has announced the successful testing of its Iron Dome anti-missile system, said to be capable of intercepting rockets launched by militants in Gaza and South Lebanon.

The shield, which fires missiles at incoming threats that it identifies by radar, is being called a “gamechanger” in the way that Israel can conduct its defences.

The system can estimate where a missile will land, targeting those that will hit populated areas while ignoring missiles heading for open ground, military experts said.

Iron Dome would stop missiles with a range of between 4 and 70 kilometres (2.5 and 45 miles), spanning smaller mortar shells from Gaza to the Iranian-made Fajr rockets fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Gaza militants met the announcement with a barrage of at least ten mortar shells, causing no damage but underlining the continued threat to Israel’s southern communities.

In its two most recent wars Israel has faced a barrage of rockets across its borders. Militants in the Gaza Strip have fired home-made Qassam rockets at southern Israel since 2000, most recently during last winter’s Gaza war.

If Israel were to engage in another military operation with its northern or southern enemies, rocket attacks would pose the most serious threat, Israeli defence officials said.

“Terrorists on our borders will see that their most common tool — the launching of rockets against Israel, can be stopped. They will have to find another way, hopefully one that will lead to peaceful negotiations,” said Yossi Horowitz, a developer at Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, the company that helped to build the Iron Dome.

Ephraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Centre for Strategic Studies, said the missile shield would force Israel’s enemies to rethink their strategies. “The system neutralises one of the foundations of the enemy’s strategy, which says that due to the Israeli army’s total superiority the only way to target Israel is by hitting its population centres,” he said.
The Iron Dome will be deployed in the south of Israel within the next two months and in the north by mid-2010. It is part of a three-tier shield intended to stop different levels of incoming missile attacks, along with the “David Slingshot” and Arrow systems. While those two have been developed in co-operation with America, the Iron Dome is solely an Israeli project.

The three-tiered system, the first of its type, aims to shield all Israeli cities from threats ranging from Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and Iran. Experts said, though, that it cannot guarantee complete effectiveness and that it was prohibitively expensive.

Shlomo Dror, a Defence Ministry spokesman, conceded that there was no 100 per cent protection. “Militants will continue firing rockets and try to launch small attacks against Israel,” he said.

Estimates for the Iron Dome predict that the interception of every rocket will cost tens of thousands of dollars, in contrast to the cheap, home-made Qassams that are used by Gaza militants.

Israel hopes to recoup some of the tens of millions of dollars that Iron Dome will cost by selling the technology to other countries. The US and Britain have each expressed interest, along with other countries fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Our priority is to get the system working and active in Israel. But there has been a great deal of interest in all countries facing this type of threat,” Mr Horowitz said.


Israel says tests on Iron Dome missile shield have been a success - Times Online
 

ZOOM

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This is nothing but the excellent and outstanding achievements for something like Isreal. Even yesterday itself we faced with four rocket attack from across the border which fortunetly didn't caused any damaged. Isreal is truly gearing up for next generation warfare and bringing in a kind of a defence which will make its adversery think twice before indulging in any attack on Isreali holy mainland.

Even India should pursue such project with full throttle, since we themselves are lacking in this department very badly. In war our Armoured installation advancing in Paki land are highly vulnerable to their MBRL attacks.
 

Armand2REP

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What's the point of inercepting a $50-100 Qassam or Katushya with a $35,000 interceptor... it is crazy All they have to do is launch until Israel goes broke or runs out of missiles. They should have stuck with the laser.
 

Quickgun Murugan

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What's the point of inercepting a $50-100 Qassam or Katushya with a $35,000 interceptor... it is crazy All they have to do is launch until Israel goes broke or runs out of missiles. They should have stuck with the laser.
If $35,000 saves a soldier, then it is job well done.
 

enlightened1

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What's the point of inercepting a $50-100 Qassam or Katushya with a $35,000 interceptor... it is crazy All they have to do is launch until Israel goes broke or runs out of missiles. They should have stuck with the laser.
Armand it's not like the system is going to intercept every odd missile fired into Israel.

It is able to distinguish between projectiles on course to hit populated areas, and ones expected to land on open ground, military experts say.
BBC News - Israel hails rocket shield test 'successful'
 

Armand2REP

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Armand it's not like the system is going to intercept every odd missile fired into Israel.
In the south it is about impossible to miss hitting Sderot. In the north, Hezzies have access to Iranian rockets which are much more accurate. Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona are prime targets for just about any kind of rocket. The point is, Palestinians can launch more and cheaper rockets than Israel can intercept and there are plenty of populated targets they can get to. The cost-benefit of this system is not there. The chemical laser they had cost about $500 per shot, it was much more economical.
 

enlightened1

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In the south it is about impossible to miss hitting Sderot. In the north, Hezzies have access to Iranian rockets which are much more accurate. Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona are prime targets for just about any kind of rocket. The point is, Palestinians can launch more and cheaper rockets than Israel can intercept and there are plenty of populated targets they can get to. The cost-benefit of this system is not there. The chemical laser they had cost about $500 per shot, it was much more economical.
I didn't know you were briefed about the how many missiles the system can intercept. Maybe the israelis who invented & successfully tested it, don't know yet that the system is not feasible. :eek:
 

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Israel's Iron-Dome Missile Interceptor to Become Operational by May 2010

Israel's Iron-Dome Missile Interceptor to Become Operational by May 2010

The Israel Ministry of Defense confirmed the Iron Dome Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) interceptor system has passed system qualification tests in recent days. Expecting to receive the first systems next month, the Israel Air Force (IAF) air defense command Iron Dome battalion is scheduled to reach initial operational capability in five months (sometime in May 2010). Iron Dome is developed and produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

The Iron Dome battalion will allocate the first unit to protect the area bordering with the northern Gaza strip (the city of Sderot) in southern Israel. A second unit is slated to protect areas in northern Israel, along the border with Lebanon. While protecting civil population is the most visible mission of Iron Dome, apart from protecting the Israeli settlements and towns vulnerable to rocket attacks, the system will play a critical role in the defense of strategic sites located in these areas. By defending military bases, staging areas, forward air bases and ports, the system will protect sensitive sites that play an important role in IDF capability conducting surge operations, such as the 'Second Lebanon War in 2006 and operation 'Lead Cast' operation in Gaza in 2009.

Attacks on military facilities, especially airfields that have become more vulnerable in recent wars, could even increase in the future. Therefore, a combined C-RAM and Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) is requiring as active defense measures, to ensure the Air Force maintaining full and unrestricted operational tempo from forward locations as well as from main operational bases. Iron Dome and the upper layer defense established by David Sling could provide the necessary countermeasures against such threats.

However, funding for the project seems still unsecured. As the program is formally transferred from development to production, the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) will have to allocate significant resources to continue the momentum on two acquisition programs – sofar IMOD spent about US$215 million from a budget allocated by the government in 2007. A similar amount was allocated for the development of the David Sling (the latter is partly financed by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency). However, full deployment of the systems could cost hundred of millions, if not more. Export sales could be vital to sustain the program at a healthy state. Rafael has already engaged in several campaigns presenting the system to foreign customers, some have been successful. Israel decided to pursue the development of the system independently, as U.S. officials were sceptical about the feasibility, schedule and development cost. However, in recent months the U.S. position has changed, and the Israel MOD is hopeful that U.S. support for the acquisition is now feasible, particularly if rRafael could formalize a cooperation with a U.S. partner.

Iron Dome's ability to provide point defense for forward operating bases (FOB) has captured the interest of coalition partners engaged in combat in Afghanistan. While the U.S. Army is also developing the Extended Area Protection (EAPS) systems, these are not as mature as the Israeli solution. Other coalition partners are employing rapid firing cannons to protect FOBs, but these are limited in range and are limited to the protection of a small area. The Iron Dome could provide effective protection of a much larger area, including roads, checkposts and Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) facilities located in neighboring areas.

During the final test series conducted in Southern Israel, Iron Dome successfully engaged salvos of live rockets and mortar shells. During the tests lasting about two weeks, and conducted with full participation of teams from the IAF Iron Dome air defense battalion, the system repeatedly engaged rocket salvos and mortar shells in increasingly complex scenarios. The system demonstrated effective detection and intercept of targets above abd below cloud cover, and maintaining 'keep out zones' for integration with air traffic over the protected area. Iron Dome detected, tracked and selectively engaged those targets presenting a threat to the areas being protected. This feature - unique to the Israeli active defense systems - is attributed to the multi-mode radar (MMR) and battle management and weapon control (BMC) system developed for the Iron Dome. Similar capabilities are being implemented in the next active-defense layer – known as 'David Sling'. This middle-tier defense system, currently in development, could become operational in 3-4 years.
 

Rage

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What's the point of inercepting a $50-100 Qassam or Katushya with a $35,000 interceptor... it is crazy All they have to do is launch until Israel goes broke or runs out of missiles. They should have stuck with the laser.
As i understand it, the 'Iron Dome' is to be integrated into a multi-layered defense umbrella designed to neutralize all missile threats - including long-range ballistic missiles from Iran.

But you have a point about the cost-benefits of the system. In 2008, tests found that the 'Iron Dome' was ineffective at intercepting rockets from anything less than four kilometers away. Because Sderot is only about two kilometers from Beit Hanun, from which the vast majority of the rockets in the South were being fired, 'Iron Dome' was found to be wanting in terms of alleviating the distress of the Sderot residents. I don't know if they've rectified the problem from 2008 yet: in particular the problem of intercepting Qassams and longer-range Grad model Katyusha's from within less than four-kilometers. But in all likelihood, they probably have.

Sources reporting on the recent tests also state that the 'advanced' ELTA radar is capable of detecting rockets headed towards designated open areas or 'fields' via multiple independently-relayed transmissions between: a) the Mobile Missile Launcher and b) the centralized, impact-and-projected trajectory calculating control center called the BMC, thereby not launching a kinetic interceptor to destroy them.

AFAIK, Tel-Aviv may also consider deploying the Skyguard Laser Interception system in conjunction with the 'Iron Dome' for more optimal local/layered defense. Back in late 2007, the pro-Skyguard lobby group lobbied vociferously for a resurrection in the funding, but no news's come about it since then. Skyguard also faced limitations in its system with size, logistics and mobility- a possible reason for its abandonment - if that is what did happen.
 
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Israel's vaunted missile shield 'flawed'

Israel's vaunted missile shield 'flawed'

Tel Aviv, Israel (UPI) Jan 15, 2009
Despite all the media fanfare and ballyhoo about the impending deployment of another missile-defense system, Israeli commentators are warning that the Jewish state's much-vaunted defense shield has a few chinks in it.
The Defense Ministry announced on Jan. 7 that Iron Dome, which is designed to shoot down short-range missiles and mortar shells, had sailed through a series of test-firings with flying colors.

The first operational battery would soon be deployed on the southern front against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to counter rockets fired by the Palestinian militants.

Iron Dome is intended to be the bottom layer in a missile defense shield, with the U.S.-financed long-range, high-altitude Arrow II interceptor, first deployed in 2001, to take care of ballistic missiles, and the David's Sling system, still at least two years away from deployment, designed to counter intermediate-range missiles.

But Rueven Pedatzur of the liberal daily Haaretz opened up with a barrage of criticism that appeared to shoot a few holes in the official line that Israelis could rest assured that they were fully protected from hostile missiles.

Iron Dome, which cost Rafael Advanced Defense Industries $200 million to develop "has brought nothing to the table," he wrote on Wednesday, "and it has not solved the inherent problems of a defense system based on missiles trying to intercept enemy rockets Â…

"The rejoicing and the preening in the wake of the (Iron Dome) test's success hide the far bleaker truth.

"The public relations campaign accompanying the test is full of deceptions and half-truths. It has ignored the flaws in the systems and has created illusions."

For one thing, he declared, "the stock of Iron Dome missiles is liable to run out way before the rocket barrages end.

"And in any case, because of the high cost of using Iron Dome for defense, the Palestinians in the south and Hezbollah in the north can defeat us at the bank, without even launching a single rocket."

One Iron Dome interception will cost about $100,000, he calculated, while Hamas' homemade Qassam rockets only cost at most $200 apiece.

At that rate, Israel would soon run into the red if it is faced, as most strategist expect it will be some time in the near future, round-the-clock bombardments with thousands of Qassams, Katyushas and Grads unleashed by Hezbollah and Hamas, both armed by Iran.

During the 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in July-August 2006, Hezbollah fired nearly 4,000 rockets of various calibers into northern Israel at a rate of around 200 a day.

That paralyzed the north, including the port city of Haifa, for more than a month. The death toll, given the number of rockets fired, was relatively light -- 54, mostly civilians.

But the sustained bombardment, the worst ever endured by Israel's civilians, had a profound and immense psychological impact and heightened fears of the deadlier bombardments the strategists expect somewhere down the road.

In 2006 Hezbollah alone was believed to have around 12,000 rockets. These days it's reputed to have around 42,000, including some that can reach Tel Aviv, Israel's largest urban conurbation.

But Pedatzur wasn't finished. Rafael's David's Sling system, also known as Magic Wand, would be even more expensive to use than Iron Dome, he observed. "The price of one missile in this system will come to about $1 million."

All told, the overall cost of developing Arrow II, Iron Dome and David's Sling will probably eventually run to around $2 billion, although much of the Arrow's development cost was paid by Washington.

But just for Iron Dome, the defense establishment is still trying to figure out how many batteries will be needed to provide a blanket defense of the northern and southern borders.

It's not clear whether anyone has yet considered the possibility of rocket fire from the West Bank as well. But the current estimate is 20 batteries for north and south, with each battery costing $14 million.

To cover that, said Pedatzur's colleague, Amos Harel, "will either require diverting substantial funds from other defense projects or significantly increasing the defense budget."

Even with Iron Dome, "protection of Israel's home front remains far from complete," Harel concluded.

Although Arrow II and Iron Dome are being deployed, he cautioned, "in the face of a possible onslaught involving thousands of missiles and tens of thousands of rockets, this will not be enough."
 

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Israel's new rocket shield not going to Gaza front

Source: Reuters
* Short-range rocket smasher won't go first into Gaza zone

* "Standby" role suggests Israel more worried by Hezbollah

* System "too expensive" to counter Gaza's limited threat

By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Israel's new rocket-interceptor system will not be deployed near the Gaza Strip as expected but kept on standby, possibly to counter attacks from the north by Lebanese Hezbollah should conflict erupt with its backer, Iran.

News this week on deployment of "Iron Dome", a short-range system to be ready by June, disappointed Israelis in southern towns who hoped it would be set up to protect them from rockets fired by Gaza's Islamist Hamas fighters.

Less than a month ago, Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the rocket shield would have its first deployment on the Gaza front. But this week officials changed tack and said they had to think of placing it elsewhere, notably facing Lebanon.

"At the moment there is quiet (in Gaza) that is based on deterrence, which has to be examined every day of course because it could change, and Hamas's basic hostility toward Israel has not changed," said Defence Ministry official Amos Gilad.

"There are also other sectors. There is the Lebanon sector," he told Israel Radio. "If deterrence is not working, then we have to think what measures to use."

Produced by state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd., Iron Dome uses small radar-guided missiles to blow up Katyusha-style rockets with ranges of between 5 km (3 miles) and 70 km (45 miles), as well as mortar bombs, mid-air.

Its development was spurred by the 2006 conflict in Lebanon with Hezbollah and the Gaza Strip war against Hamas a year ago, in both of which Israeli towns within reach of short-range rockets were in some respects defenceless.

BIGGER ROCKETS IN NORTH

While the north has gone quiet, sporadic fire still pesters towns inland from Gaza. The rockets are inaccurate and only rarely inflict damage or injury. But each firing triggers a loud alert, sending people rushing to shelters and keeping nerves on edge in towns such as Sderot.

The left-wing Israeli daily Haaretz on Friday said Sderot was looking forward to the rocket shield but "the townspeople's expectations that they would be the first to be protected by Iron Dome have been shattered".

In an editorial, however, the paper said: "Get real, Iron Dome is too expensive to defend Sderot".

"The cost of producing launchers and missiles against cheap rockets is extremely high", it said, noting that Hezbollah has bigger rockets and may present a greater potential threat. Gaza is under a tight Israeli blockade and Hamas is likely to exercise caution, after the blitz by Israel a year ago that killed 1,400 Palestinians -- a majority civilians -- in three weeks while 13 Israelis, mostly soldiers, lost their lives.

But Israeli military planners are wary of the north, where Hezbollah, a larger force with greater reach, killed 43 Israeli civilians in strikes during the month-long war in 2006.

Israeli generals "were wrong ... to scorn the enemy's rockets and missiles" in the Lebanon war, Haaretz commented.

Unlike Hamas, the Lebanese Shi'ite guerrillas are not easily cut off from re-supply. They are widely believed to have replenished their arsenal with Syrian and Iranian help. Should Israel carry out its threat to attack Iran's nuclear sites if sanctions fail to derail a suspected atom bomb project, Hezbollah might retaliate in support of its ally in Tehran.

Hamas, while also sponsored by Iran, is less likely to join a proxy war and is weaker militarily, Israeli officials say.

Two Iron Dome batteries are currently under construction, a defence official said. Designed to be towed by vehicle, they will be available for any Israeli front at a few hours' notice.

The decision to keep the system "on standby" could of course point to a perception that there is no immediate need to commit it to either front.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE61224T.htm
 

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Iron Dome defense system gets new backer: Barack Obama

U.S. agrees to fund anti-missile defense system, long delayed due to budgetary difficulties, beyond regular annual defense assistance afforded to Israel.

The budgetary difficulty that has been delaying Israel's armament with the anti-missile defense system Iron Dome has apparently been resolved. The Pentagon has issued a message to Israel's Defense Ministry that U.S. President Barack Obama has approved the transfer of special assistance totaling $205 million (just under NIS 800 million) for the purchase of more than ten Iron Dome batteries.

The Iron Dome missile defense system aced a test run in January, and event that convinced senior defense officials that the defense system was on its way to becoming operational and that it will be able to effectively protect against short-range missiles, such as Katyushas and Qassams, which often hit Israeli towns.

The project's first phase, which included development, test runs and the manufacture of two batteries, required a budget of NIS 800 million. The Israel Air Force has also trained a special new unit to operate the defense system.

However, the plan was not allotted an adequate budget. The Israel Defense Forces ducked away from funding the project with its budget, explaining that offensive readiness was a higher priority, and the Defense Ministry has been looking for other budgetary avenues. Among other things, Israel has struck a deal with an unnamed eastern Asian country (Singapore, according to a recent report in a French magazine) to participate in the funding of future phases in the project.

Israel has recently raised the possibility that the U.S. assist in the funding of the project by transferring a sum of money beyond the U.S.'s annual defense assistance. The request was reviewed closely during Defense Minister Ehud Barak's last visit to Washington earlier this month, and during talks between Barak and Obama and other senior American defense officials.

On Wednesday, Barak was notified that Israel's request had been granted. Director General of the Defense Ministry, Udi Shani, is currently in Washington to finalize the details. A senior Israeli defense official told Haaretz on Thursday that the U.S. assistance was "a breakthrough, which will significantly facilitate moving forward with the project. The question of funding has been, up until now, the main obstacle."

"The Americans were skeptical at first," the official continued. "But after they saw the results of the last test run they were impressed and became confident in the system's abilities." He added that the Defense Ministry has yet to decide how to allocate the funds. He stressed that it would be at least a year before a substantial number of batteries would be operational in Israel.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diploma...-system-gets-new-backer-barack-obama-1.290226
 

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India in talks to buy Iron Dome, David's Sling

Indian Ministry of Defence to "Defense News": Procurement of David's Sling or the Iron Dome would be a "pleasure".

"Defense News" reports that India is in talks to buy Israel's ground-based rocket and missile interceptor systems Iron Dome and David's Sling.

David's Sling, designed to intercept medium-range missiles (70-240 kilometers range), is being developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN). The system is also n the Ministry of Defense.

Indian Ministry of Defence sources told "Defense News" negotiations between the Israeli and Indian governments on a deal for David's Sling had been going on for more than six months. The sources added that Israel was open to sales of David's Sling, but that it would not transfer the system's technology as part of a deal.

The sources said that India was developing its own missile interception system for short and medium range missiles (50-80 kilometer range), known as the PAD. However, this system cannot intercept low-flying cruise missiles. This may be the reason why India is interested in the Israeli system.

An Indian Ministry of Defence official said that neither its aging Russian-built air defense systems nor the PAD system can serve as the country' sole line of defense against potential missile threats from Pakistan or China. He said that the procurement of David's Sling or the Iron Dome would be a "pleasure

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000574327&fid=942
 

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