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3 juillet 2015 5 03 /07 /juillet /2015 12:30
Israël / Ministère de la Défense : succès du Dôme de fer amélioré

 

juil 02, 2015 Israpresse

 

Une série de tests ont été effectués ces derniers jours sur une nouvelle version améliorée du système de défense anti-missile Dôme de Fer.

 

Le ministère de la Défense a annoncé que cette série de tests avait pour but d’accroître les capacités opérationnelles du système et d’améliorer ses résultats dans le cadre de différentes menaces.

 

Le système anti-missile a en effet déjà été déployé depuis un mois dans le centre du pays, pour contrer une éventuelle escalade des attaques de roquettes faites depuis la bande de Gaza.

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7 juin 2015 7 07 /06 /juin /2015 19:30
photo IDF

photo IDF

 

06 Juin 2015 i24news.tv

 

Le Hamas accuse les salafistes liés à l'EI d'avoir tiré des roquettes sur Israël pour envenimer la situation

 

L’armée israélienne a redéployé vendredi plusieurs batteries de Dôme de fer près des villes d’Ashdod et de Netivot dans le sud d’Israël, après que deux roquettes tirées depuis la bande de Gaza ont explosé en territoire israélien mercredi soir.

Mercredi, les sirènes ont retenti dans plusieurs villes du sud d'Israël ainsi que dans les localités israéliennes proches de la bande de Gaza. Deux roquettes ont explosé sur le sol israélien, dans des terrains vagues et sans faire de victimes.

L'armée israélienne a procédé dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi à des raids de représailles contre trois infrastructures terroristes dans la bande de Gaza, sans faire de blessé.

La semaine dernière, l'armée de l'air israélienne avait mené quatre frappes contre des sites terroristes de la bande de Gaza, quelques heures après qu'au moins une roquette a explosé sur le sud d'Israël, sans faire de blessé.

 

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20 janvier 2015 2 20 /01 /janvier /2015 12:30
Israel deploys Iron Dome missile defense battery and additional troops on border with Syria

 

January 20, 2015 armyrecognition.com

 

Israel deployed an Iron Dome missile defense battery along its northern border with Syria and planned a high-level security meeting in anticipation of retaliation for an airstrike that killed Lebanese Hezbollah militants and an Iranian general, Israel Radio reported.

 

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15 octobre 2014 3 15 /10 /octobre /2014 07:30
Le Dôme de Fer Israélien Peine à Séduire les Acheteurs Étrangers.

 

12.10.2014 Avner Myers - IsraelValley

 

Le système d’interception de roquettes est conçu pour annihiler une menace à laquelle la plupart des pays ne sont pas confrontés.

 

Normalement, un nouveau système d’arme de pointe avec un taux de réussite prouvé de 90% sur le terrain, serait contacté en quelques minutes par l’ensemble des agences mondiales d’approvisionnement en matière de défense. Mais le Dôme de Fer israélien anti-roquette doit encore faire ses preuves auprès des acheteurs à l’étranger.

 

En termes de réalisations opérationnelles, le Dôme de Fer est sans rival sur le marché de l’armement. Actif sur les fronts à la bande de Gaza, au Liban et au Sinaï égyptien, le système connait un taux de réussite de 90%. Mais selon Avnish Patel, du Royal United Services Institute, le problème réside dans le fait qu’il soit conçu pour faire face au défi israélien très spécifique que constitue la lutte contre les roquettes et les missiles de courte portée utilisés par des groupes armées.

 

Fabricant de l’Iron Dome, la société publique Rafael aurait pu ne pas commercialiser son système de défense et éviter ainsi les risques de fuites de technologie, explique Yossi Druker, Vice-Président de la société. Mais l’exportation en matière d’armement est aujourd’hui une nécessité afin de diminuer les coûts de fabrication. Selon Druker, «Rafael a investi des millions de shekels dans le développement de ce système, Il ne pouvait pas se permettre de le faire sans avoir prévu de le commercialiser à l’étranger.

 

Jusqu’à présent, le Dôme de Fer n’a été acheté que par un seul pays étranger dont l’identité est tenue secrète. En outre, la liste des de clients potentiels ne comprend pas les pays avec lesquels Israël n’a pas de relations diplomatiques, ce qui exclut les Pays du Golfe pourtant soucieux de la bonne tenue d’une défense antimissile dans un contexte de bras de fer avec l’Iran. La Chine et la Russie dont le dispositif militaire est surveillé de près par Washington, ne sont pas éligibles pour une commercialisation de l’Iron Dome. A l’inverse Rafael reconnaît promouvoir le Dôme de Fer en Corée du Sud et en Inde, respectivement menacé par la Corée du Nord et client le plus important d’Israël dans le domaine de la défense.

 

Les Etats-Unis, qui ont été étroitement impliqués dans le projet en fournissant plus de 1 milliard de dollars, ont refusé d’acheter le Dôme de Fer pour ses forces armées déployées en Afghanistan et en Irak. Parmi les craintes du Pentagone figure le fait de débourser 100.000 dollars pour l’utilisation de chaque missile intercepteur, a déclaré Riki Ellison, Président de l’U.S. Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Il souligne également l’inadéquation du système avec les tirs de mortiers qui connaissent une faible trajectoire. Israël est pleinement consciente de cette menace, ayant perdu dans ces circonstances 15 soldats et civils au cours de l’été. Pour pallier à cette insuffisance, Rafael est en train d’élaborer l’Iron Beam, qui se veut un système qui utilise des lasers pour détruire les obus de mortier.

 

Malgré des inquiétudes initiales sur des fuites de technologie, Rafael explique que la sécurité nationale israélienne ne serait pas affectée si cela devait se produire. L’armée israélienne utilise le modèle de quatrième génération du Dôme de Fer, ne laissant à Rafael que la possibilité de commercialiser à l’étranger les versions antérieures.

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11 août 2014 1 11 /08 /août /2014 11:35
La Corée du sud intéressée par le dôme de fer

 

11.08.2014 i24news.tv

 

Les sud-coréens pensent au dôme de fer pour se protéger de leur voisin du nord

 

La Corée du Sud serait intéressée par l'achat du dôme de fer, le système de défenses anti-missiles à courte portée, selon son fabricant, la société israélienne Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

 

La guerre actuelle avec le Hamas dans la bande de Gaza est une opération de démonstration de l'efficacité du dôme de fer, ont affirmé des responsables israéliens et des observateurs américains.

 

Le PDG de Rafael Yedidia Yaari a déclaré que la performance du système avait alimenté l'intérêt pour le dôme de fer à l'étranger, notamment de la Corée du Sud, en conflit avec son voisin du nord.

 

"La [Corée du Sud] est très inquiète, non seulement à propos de roquettes, mais aussi pour d'autres choses ... Vous pouvez certainement les inclure dans le club des pays intéressés", a déclaré Yaari à la radio de l'armée d'Israël, après avoir affirmé que des représentants de Rafael avaient visité Séoul pour promouvoir le dôme de fer.

 

Yaari n'a pas donné de détails sur le degré d'avancement d'un tel accord avec la Corée du Sud. Rafael n'a pas rendu public non plus les ventes du dôme de fer à l'étranger jusqu'à présent, mais a indiqué qu'il donnait la priorité à Israël, qui comprend déjà neuf batteries sur un total prévu de 12 unités d'interception.

 

Washington a également grandement financé le déploiement de batteries en Israël et les missiles intercepteurs. Des sources de l'industrie de la défense estiment que chaque batterie coûte environ 50 millions de dollars et que chaque missile d'interception entre 30 000 et 50 000 dollars.

 

Ont également participé à la production de Dôme de Fer les entrepreneurs de la défense israélienne Elisra Group et Israel Aerospace Industries. Le système utilise également des composants fabriqués par l'entreprise américaine de défense Raytheon.

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17 juillet 2014 4 17 /07 /juillet /2014 07:35
Gaza : le « Dôme de fer », pièce maîtresse d'Israël contre les tirs

 

10.07.2014 Par Hélène Sallon - Le Monde.fr

 

Le système de défense anti-missile israélien « Dôme de fer » (« kipat barzel », en hébreu) a intercepté, depuis le début de l’opération « Bordure protectrice », des dizaines de roquettes tirées par les mouvements palestiniens depuis la bande de Gaza, dans le sud du pays ainsi que sur les principales villes israéliennes : Tel-Aviv, Jérusalem ou même Haïfa, à 160 kilomètres au nord de l’enclave palestinienne. Ce système, unique au monde, est l’un des éléments centraux du système de défense développé par Israël depuis le milieu des années 1990.

 

UNE TECHNOLOGIE DE POINTE...

 

Le Dôme de fer recourt à de petits missiles guidés par radar, pouvant anéantir en plein vol des roquettes de courte portée − de 4 à 70 kilomètres – et des obus d’artillerie et de mortier. Chaque batterie du Dôme de fer comprend un radar de détection et de pistage, un logiciel de contrôle de tir et trois lanceurs équipés chacun de vingt missiles d’interception. Le système repère la trajectoire de la roquette depuis son lancement. Si elle doit s’abattre sur une zone habitée, il tire un missile pour l’intercepter en vol. Selon les statistiques de l’armée, son taux de réussite oscille entre 75 et 90 %.

 

... QUI A UN COÛT ÉLEVÉ

 

Chaque batterie coûte 500 000 dollars et chaque missile, 60 000 dollars. Le tout pour détruire une roquette dont le coût de production n’est souvent que de 1 000 dollars. La mise en place du système, décidée en 2005, avait d’ailleurs été retardée, pour mieux former le personnel, mais aussi parce qu’il semblait exagérément cher. Israël aurait investi un milliard de dollars dans le développement et la production de ces batteries, confié au groupe d’armement public Rafael Advances Defence Systems.

 

Gaza : le « Dôme de fer », pièce maîtresse d'Israël contre les tirs

Les Etats-Unis le financent en partie. Lors de sa visite à Sderot, en juillet 2008, Barack Obama, encore sénateur à l’époque, avait été ému par la situation des habitants de cette localité du nord de Gaza. Elu président la même année, il a obtenu à peine un an après le vote au Congrès d’une aide de 205 millions de dollars (160 millions d’euros), en plus des trois milliards d’aide militaire octroyée chaque année à Israël. Le Pentagone a prévu un financement de 220,3 millions de dollars pour l’exercice budgétaire 2014 et table sur 176 millons en 2015, après 204 millions de dollars en 2011 et 70 en 2012. En dépit des sommes investies, les Etats-Unis n’ont aucun droit sur la technologie du système.

 

SIX BATTERIES DÉPLOYÉES DANS LE PAYS

 

La première batterie a été installée en mars 2011 dans la région de Bersheeva, à 40 kilomètres de la bande de Gaza et à portée des roquettes Grad de conception russe. Trois autres ont été installées près des villes côtières d’Ashkelon et Ashdod, au sud de Tel-Aviv, et près de Nétivot, à 20 kilomètres de la bande de Gaza. Une cinquième batterie a été installée fin 2012 à Tel-Aviv. Une batterie supplémentaire a été déployée depuis. Ces batteries sont semi-mobiles. Les lanceurs sont posés sur des bases de conteneurs.

 

Une batterie serait à elle seule en mesure de défendre efficacement une ville comme Ashkelon (100 000 habitants). Selon les experts militaires, un total de 13 batteries est nécessaire pour assurer la couverture complète du territoire israélien. Face à des salves simultanées de projectiles, le système risque en effet de saturer en raison du nombre limité de batteries disponibles.

 

Le commandement des batteries est confié à un chef de batterie, qui se réfère à un commandement central. Le temps de prise de décision pour une interception est court, environ deux minutes entre le lancement et l’impact d’un projectile, note Joseph Henrotin, rédacteur en chef de la revue Défense et sécurité internationales (DSI). Cela explique que l’interception se fasse près du point d’impact, une fois que le système s’est verrouillé sur la cible.

 

POLÉMIQUE SUR L’EFFICACITÉ DU DÔME DE FER

 

Selon les Israéliens, le système aurait permis, pendant l’offensive israélienne « Pilier de défense » sur la bande de Gaza en novembre 2012 d’intercepter 85 % des roquettes venues de l’enclave palestinienne. Quelque 1 500 roquettes avaient été tirées depuis la bande de Gaza. Cette estimation avait été contestée à l’époque par l’expert militaire du quotidien Haaretz, Reuven Pedatzur, qui avançait pour sa part un taux proche de 5 %. Le spécialiste s’appuyait sur les évaluations du professeur américain Theodore Postol, du Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Le Pentagone a procédé à ses propres études et conclu que le système n’était pas dénué d’efficacité.

 

La question de l’efficacité du système est complexe, pointe Joseph Henrotin. « Il y a des batteries meilleures que d’autres. La réussite dépendant également de l’entraînement des personnels, de la capacité à identifier les cibles et à réagir rapidement. cela explique que le taux d’interception soit variable d’un jour à l’autre », indique le spécialiste. Le système est sans cesse perfectionné pour améliorer l’algorithme de traitement des trajectoires au niveau de la station radar ou sa capacité à répondre à des salves simultanées.

 

90 % DE RÉUSSITE PENDANT L’OPÉRATION « BORDURE PROTECTRICE »

 

Une roquette tombe près de la ville de Sdérot, dans le sud d'Israël, mercredi 9 juillet. Une roquette tombe près de la ville de Sdérot, dans le sud d'Israël, mercredi 9 juillet. | REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN

 

Selon le journaliste militaire d’Haaretz Amos Harel, le système de défense antimissile Dôme de fer a, entre lundi 7 et mercredi 9 juillet, enregistré un taux de réussite de 90 % lorsqu’il a été activé. Le système n’est activé que lorsque les projectiles se dirigent vers des zones habitées, a indiqué Peter Lerner, le porte-parole de l’armée israélienne. Quarante-cinq projectiles ont ainsi été interceptés entre lundi soir et mercredi, soit 27 % des 180 roquettes tirées par les mouvements palestiniens de la bande de Gaza. Vingt projectiles supplémentaires ont été interceptés dans la journée de mercredi et la nuit suivante sur les 80 tirés depuis la bande de Gaza.

 

UNE PROTECTION « MULTICOUCHES »

 

 

Gaza : le « Dôme de fer », pièce maîtresse d'Israël contre les tirs

 « Depuis le milieu des années 2000, les Israéliens ont un système intégré de surveillance anti-balistique et antiaérien multi-couches », indique Joseph Henrotin. Ce système intégré s’appuie sur des avions de détection aérienne avancée de type RG 550 Eitam, des stations de radar volantes et des radars au sol. « Toutes les informations sont centralisées en temps réel dans un même centre de commandement, poursuit le spécialiste en stratégie militaire. Le Dôme de fer a son propre système de radars, relié également au centre. Il dispose d’un meilleur radar de détection en termes de trajectrométrie. »

 

D'autres dispositifs d’interception complètent ce système. Depuis 2010, les Etats-Unis et Israël développent le système de défense « Baguette magique » et son missile « Fronde de David » (« kala David »). Ce système est dirigé contre les missiles de courte portée (supérieure à 70 km mais inférieure à 250 km), les roquettes de longue portée, les gros calibres (dont les ogives peuvent aller jusqu’à une demi-tonne) et les missiles de croisière. Ce système est toujours en développement. Il a toutefois été intégré à l’une des batteries du Dôme de fer. Il est davantage destiné à être déployé dans le nord d’Israël pour intercepter les roquettes du mouvement chiite libanais Hezbollah, de plus longue portée que celles des mouvements palestiniens de la bande de Gaza.

 

Arrow-3 missile interceptor test

Arrow-3 missile interceptor test

 

Le système « Arrow » (« la flèche » ou « hetz » en hébreu), opérationnel depuis 2000, protège Israël des missiles balistiques d’une portée supérieure à 250 kilomètres. Washington finance la moitié de son coût annuel. Le programme « Arrow II » a été développé par Boeing et Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), à partir de 1995, pour éliminer les missiles balistiques conventionnels à plus longue portée, en particulier iraniens (d’une portée de plus de 1 600 km). Pour contrer une éventuelle attaque nucléaire de Téhéran, Israël a développé un intercepteur qui peut localiser et entrer en collision avec des missiles balistiques au-delà de l’atmosphère terrestre : « Arrow III ». La conception, confiée à IAI et Boeing, a été lancée en 2008. Il devrait être opérationnel en 2015, estiment les autorités israéliennes.

 

La défense israélienne ne se résume pas à ces dispositifs mais comprend tout un spectre d’action, souligne Joseph Henrotin : frappes aériennes sur les lanceurs et les tunnels de contrebande, interception de livraisons d’armes, ainsi qu’une dimension passive : le respect des mesures de sécurité par la population israélienne en cas de tirs de projectile, notamment les abris antiaériens installés dans les sous-sols de la plupart des immeubles du pays.

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9 juillet 2014 3 09 /07 /juillet /2014 11:30
Des roquettes tirées vers Tel-Aviv et sa banlieue interceptées par Iron Dome

 

09 juillet 2014 Romandie.com (AFP)

 

Jérusalem - Au moins cinq roquettes ont été tirées mercredi matin vers Tel-Aviv et sa banlieue et ont été interceptées par le système Iron Dome, a indiqué la radio militaire.

 

Les sirènes d'alerte ont retenti et les roquettes ont été interceptées en vol par une batterie d'Iron Dome un système d'interception de missiles, a ajouté la radio en rappelant que mardi Tel-Aviv et Jérusalem avaient été visés par des roquettes tirées de la bande de Gaza contrôlée par les islamistes palestiniens du Hamas.

 

Cette attaque contre Tel-Aviv a été lancée peu après que l'aviation israélienne a mené 160 raids dans la bande de Gaza contre le Hamas, a indiqué le porte-parole de l'armée.

 

Il y a eu 160 raids durant la nuit ce qui a porté à 430 le nombre d'attaques aériennes depuis le début de l'opération +bordure de protection+, a indiqué le porte-parole, le général Moti Almoz, à la radio militaire en précisant que 120 sites de lancement de roquettes, 10 postes de commandement du Hamas et de nombreux tunnels avaient été visés.

 

Parmi les autres cibles attaquées figurent deux maisons de chefs militaires du Hamas ainsi que des bureaux du ministère de l'Intérieur, du service de sécurité nationale du Hamas, a ajouté le général.

 

L'opération que nous avons lancée va s'étendre dans les prochains jours, a poursuivi le porte-parole en refusant de donner des précisions sur des plans d'une opération terrestre de grande envergure dans la bande de Gaza.

 

Interrogée par l'AFP, une autre porte-parole de l'armée a précisé à l'AFP que quatre roquettes avaient été tirées mercredi à l'aube vers le sud d'Israël sans faire ni victime ni dégât.

 

Mardi, le Hamas avait revendiqué des tirs de roquettes contre Jérusalem et Tel-Aviv, en réaction à l'offensive israélienne. Depuis le début de l'opération contre le mouvement islamiste 28 Palestiniens ont été tués.

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9 juillet 2014 3 09 /07 /juillet /2014 11:30
Des roquettes tirées vers Tel-Aviv et sa banlieue interceptées par Iron Dome

 

09 juillet 2014 Romandie.com (AFP)

 

Jérusalem - Au moins cinq roquettes ont été tirées mercredi matin vers Tel-Aviv et sa banlieue et ont été interceptées par le système Iron Dome, a indiqué la radio militaire.

 

Les sirènes d'alerte ont retenti et les roquettes ont été interceptées en vol par une batterie d'Iron Dome un système d'interception de missiles, a ajouté la radio en rappelant que mardi Tel-Aviv et Jérusalem avaient été visés par des roquettes tirées de la bande de Gaza contrôlée par les islamistes palestiniens du Hamas.

 

Cette attaque contre Tel-Aviv a été lancée peu après que l'aviation israélienne a mené 160 raids dans la bande de Gaza contre le Hamas, a indiqué le porte-parole de l'armée.

 

Il y a eu 160 raids durant la nuit ce qui a porté à 430 le nombre d'attaques aériennes depuis le début de l'opération +bordure de protection+, a indiqué le porte-parole, le général Moti Almoz, à la radio militaire en précisant que 120 sites de lancement de roquettes, 10 postes de commandement du Hamas et de nombreux tunnels avaient été visés.

 

Parmi les autres cibles attaquées figurent deux maisons de chefs militaires du Hamas ainsi que des bureaux du ministère de l'Intérieur, du service de sécurité nationale du Hamas, a ajouté le général.

 

L'opération que nous avons lancée va s'étendre dans les prochains jours, a poursuivi le porte-parole en refusant de donner des précisions sur des plans d'une opération terrestre de grande envergure dans la bande de Gaza.

 

Interrogée par l'AFP, une autre porte-parole de l'armée a précisé à l'AFP que quatre roquettes avaient été tirées mercredi à l'aube vers le sud d'Israël sans faire ni victime ni dégât.

 

Mardi, le Hamas avait revendiqué des tirs de roquettes contre Jérusalem et Tel-Aviv, en réaction à l'offensive israélienne. Depuis le début de l'opération contre le mouvement islamiste 28 Palestiniens ont été tués.

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8 avril 2014 2 08 /04 /avril /2014 18:30
The Iron Dome Turns 3

 

 

01.04.2014 Naomi Tzoref - iaf.org.il

 

Although it seems like the "Iron Dome" system has always been a part of the protection of the residents of Israel, today actually marks only three years since its first interception. Since then, the system has recorded hundreds of interceptions, been deployed around the country and boosted drafting percentages

 

Three years have passed since the "Iron Dome" system has become a significant part of the lives of the residents of southern Israel. Since the first interception above the city of Ashkelon, "Iron Dome" batteries have been deployed across Israel and the system is considered a central layer of defense against the threat of rockets.

 

The military service of the combat soldiers and technicians who operate the "Iron Dome" is unique: the location of the batteries in open areas close to population centers requires dealing with field conditions that are especially complex, as their location changes on short notice depending on intelligence picture.

 

The operators have to deal with an intensive routine, to adapt to the front and to stay alert all the time.

"Unlike other units, we don't have work plans that are determined ahead of time. Our activities are the result of the conduct of the enemy", explains Lieutenant Colonel Gilad Biran, commander of the unit. "The soldiers serving in the unit are called up on short notice over and over without warning. In fact, most of the soldiers continuously spend the duration of their service on high alert".

 

Because Of The Spirit

 

In the last three years, the unit has managed to grow and develop in all areas: from the integration of batteries and weapons to the accumulation of rich operational experience that includes hundreds of rocket-fire incidents.

 

"The spirit forged in the unit is what enables us to perform the complex task as efficiently as possible", explains Lieutenant Colonel Biran

Men and women serve side-by-side in the many posts at the "Iron Dome" battery: combat soldiers, interceptors and soldiers in the technical branch-everyone is greatly influential at the moment of truth.

 

"It's important to understand that the operations of the unit are not one-man show", Lieutenant Colonel Gilad stresses. "It's a team effort; it's just like an orchestra, in which every player plays a certain role. Only if everyone works precisely, with vigor and to the best of his/her abilities will overall tune come out fluent and accurate".

 

Someone Watching Over You

 

The tune Lieutenant Colonel Gilad mentions is frequently heard in the southern communities: in the last three years, the system has become a significant tool in the lives of the residents of the southern communities and it takes part in every round of fighting.

 

"Every single one of us feels the weight of responsibility", says Lieutenant Colonel Gilad. "It is clear to us that there isn't a unit similar to us in the IDF, there isn't anyone who can do the job for us. There is a deep understanding of the meaning of our operations, we provide a clear and substantive answer to the security of the country, we protect the home and, in so doing, we save a lot of lives".

 

The unit, which started its operations in the Gaza strip borders, operates on the northern border today and even on the Sinai border and its batteries are ready to be deployed at any time at any point on the map.

 

"It's hard for us to expect the security reality and we are prepared for different scenarios", he clarifies. "We are ready for the threats, but it's important to adjust the expectations to the reality: the unit cannot provide a hermetic solution during a large-scale war. This type of solution cannot only include defense capabilities; it must also include offensive ones in addition to detection, reliable deterrence and adherence on the part of the civilian population to the instructions of the Home Front Command".

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13 mars 2014 4 13 /03 /mars /2014 20:30
United States and Israel Sign Agreement on Iron Dome Weapon System

 

 

Mar 8, 2014 ASDNews Source : Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

 

The United States and the State of Israel concluded an agreement on March 5 to continue support of the production of the Iron Dome weapon system.

 

The Iron Dome system is capable of intercepting and destroying short-range rockets, and mortar and artillery shells, and is an invaluable component of Israeli missile defense. During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, Iron Dome was credited with saving countless Israeli lives, and was called a "game-changer" by many Israeli policy-makers. Yesterday's agreement ensures continued U.S. funding for procurement of Iron Dome systems and interceptors, and provides for significant co-production opportunities for U.S. industry. Under the terms of the agreement, $429 million will be transferred immediately to Israel to support Iron Dome procurement.

 

The agreement represents strategic value for both nations. Israel will obtain valuable resources to contribute to its defense and U.S. industry will receive meaningful co-production opportunities for Iron Dome components.

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11 décembre 2013 3 11 /12 /décembre /2013 08:30
U.S. to boost Israel defense missile funding by $173M

 

TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 10 (UPI)

 

U.S. lawmakers have approved boosting funding for Israel's missile defense program by $173 million in fiscal 2014 as the Jewish state's military establishment draws up a new defense doctrine to protect cities from Hezbollah's growing missile arsenal.

 

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli military intelligence now believes that the Iranian-backed Lebanese movement now possesses around 5,000 long-range missiles that can reach Tel Aviv, the country's largest conurbation, and carry warheads packing between 1,300 pounds and one ton of explosives.

 

On Monday, leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives Armed Services Committees unveiled a cut-down defense authorization bill for the coming fiscal year that would boost U.S. missile defense spending by $358 million to $9.5 billion.

 

The legislation also authorizes additional funding of $173 million for joint missile defense projects underway with Israel.

 

Funds for collaborative missile projects with Israel are separate from the $3.1 billion in military aid the United States provides Israel annually.

 

The bill must now go before Congress for a final vote. The legislation's promoters called for a vote before the Legislature recesses for the end of the year.

 

The proposed funding includes nearly $34 million for the improving the high-altitude Arrow 3 system currently being developed by state-run Israel Aerospace Industries and the Boeing Co. of the U.S.

 

Arrow 3 comprises the upper level of a planned four-tier Israeli missile shield.

 

The system is designed to intercept Iran's Shehab-3b and Sejjil-2 ballistic missiles, including any armed with nuclear warheads, beyond Earth's atmosphere on the second half of their trajectory.

 

Ynet news, the English-language website of Israel's Hebrew daily Yediot Ahronot, has reported that two recent Arrow 3 trials demonstrated the system's "high reliability" and exceeded expectations.

 

Inbal Kreiss, who until recently headed the Arrow 3 program, told a seminar at Tel Aviv University that "the missile's ability to change course while reaching the targeted missile was proven beyond all doubt as the accuracy of interception high above the State of Israel was improved."

 

He said further tests will be conducted over the next 18 months, including at least one launch into space and "an experimental interception of a missile that simulates a long-range enemy missile with a range of about 1,250 miles."

 

Some $22 million of the $34 million the armed services committees earmarked for Arrow 3 will for developing the system's "kill vehicle," the interceptor designed to hit and destroy hostile missiles.

 

The earlier Arrow 2 variant remains in service, with batteries deployed in northern and central Israel. It operates at a lower altitude.

 

Once Arrow 3 is deployed, it will be used as a back-up for that system to pick off any missiles that get past it.

 

Additional back-up for Arrow 3 will come from David's Sling, a system to counter medium-range threats, now being developed by Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Raytheon Co. of the U.S. for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and Israel's Missile Defense Organization.

 

The MDA requested further funding for Arrow 3 in April as part of a $220 million package for fiscal 2014.

 

The authorization bill now before the U.S. Congress includes an appropriation of $117.2 million for David's Sling, according to details released by the bill's sponsors.

 

This system will cover the gap between Arrow 2 and Rafael's Iron Dome system, designed to counter short-range missiles and rockets. It constitutes the bottom lawyer of Israel's missile shield.

 

Iron Dome became operational in early 2011 and by official count has successfully intercepted 84.6 percent of the targets it engaged in several clashes with Palestinian rockets.

 

The Israeli military currently has five batteries deployed, but it needs as many as 20 to ensure complete coverage of the country.

 

The compromise bill proposed by the two armed services committees supported a request by U.S. President Barack Obama for $200 million for Israel to buy additional Iron Dome batteries.

 

It also added $15 million to establish a co-production capability for Iron Dome components by Israel and the U.S., a move apparently intended to consolidate U.S. efforts to achieve greater joint production of the Israeli-designed missiles.

 

The renewed funding push also underlines U.S. efforts to ensure U.S. defense budget cuts do not affect military aid to Israel.

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9 septembre 2013 1 09 /09 /septembre /2013 11:30
Israel deploys Iron Dome system near Jerusalem

September 9th, 2013 defencetalk.com (AFP)

 

Israel deployed its Iron Dome missile defence system near Jerusalem Sunday, an AFP correspondent said, as the United States lobbied for domestic and international support for military strikes against Syria.

 

The correspondent said the battery was set up west of the city.

 

A military spokeswoman would not comment on the deployment, saying only that “defence systems are deployed in accordance with situation assessments.”

 

Late last month a battery of the mobile system was set up in the greater Tel Aviv area, pointing northwards towards Syria. Israeli media have reported that six or seven such batteries are currently in use.

 

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Israel “an island of tranquillity, quiet and security” amidst “the storm raging around us”, without explicitly mentioning Syria or its ally Iran.

 

In previous weeks Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel was not involved in the war in Syria, but would “respond with force” if anyone attacked it.

 

The Israeli line on Syria was reiterated in remarks by Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon later Sunday.

 

“We are not involved in the civil war in Syria unless our interests are compromised,” he said at a counter-terrorism conference in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv.

 

“We are preparing for the ramification of action — or inaction — in Syria,” he continued.

 

“To our understanding, our neighbours, especially the Syrian regime, understands that whoever challenges us will encounter the power of the IDF (Israeli military), and we are preparing for that.”

 

Yaalon noted that “we held a security assessment today”, and the bottom line was that Israel was not reverting to a heightened level of alert in the wake of the developments in and regarding Syria.

 

There are fears that if the United States and its allies attack Syria, forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or its Lebanese Hezbollah proxies could retaliate against neighbouring Israel, Washington’s key ally in the region.

 

Late last month, Iran’s army chief of staff General Hassan Firouzabadi warned: “Any military action against Syria will drive the Zionists to the edge of fire.”

 

US President Barack Obama’s administration is seeking to shore up support both at home and abroad for limited military strikes against Syria in retaliation for what it says is the regime’s use of chemical weapons in a Damascus suburb.

 

In Washington, Congress is due to begin full debate this week on whether to approve Obama’s plans when it returns from its summer break on Monday.

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6 septembre 2013 5 06 /09 /septembre /2013 06:30
Israel deploys Iron Dome defence system: Netanyahu

September 5th, 2013 defencetalk.com (AFP)

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said Israel deployed its Iron Dome missile defence system to bolster its security as the West weighed military strikes on neighbouring Syria.

 

But he echoed President Shimon Peres in insisting that Israel is not involved in Syria’s civil war but will respond with all its might if attacked.

 

“We have decided to deploy Iron Dome and other interceptors,” Netanyahu said, in a statement released by his office, ahead of holding security talks at the defence ministry.

 

“We are not involved in the war in Syria. But I repeat: if anyone tries to harm Israeli citizens, Tsahal (the Israeli army) will respond with force,” Netanyahu said in other remarks broadcast by Israeli television.

 

His comments come as Britain and the United States laid out their case for punitive strikes on Syria over an alleged chemical attack last week that rights groups say killed hundreds.

 

Earlier Peres said Israel will hit back if its security is at stake.

 

“Israel was not, and is not, involved in the Syrian fighting but if anyone tries to harm us we will respond with all our might,” Peres was quoted as saying in a statement from his office.

 

“Israel has a strong army, modern and powerful, and a more advanced defence system than ever before,” he added.

 

Army chief of staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz said his forces were “ready for all scenarios,” but added: “I hope we will not have to send them into action.”

 

Peres said the situation in Syria, where a civil war that erupted in March 2011 has killed more than 100,000 people, “is not a local incident but a crime against humanity.”

 

Israeli media and officials sought to calm the public on Thursday, as queues for gas masks lengthened.

 

There are fears that it the United States and its allies launch military strikes on Syria, forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could retaliate against Israel, Washington’s key ally in the region.

 

“Keep calm and carry on” was the title of a front-page analysis in the Jerusalem Post, echoing a slogan designed by the British government in World War II.

 

“With (Israeli) military intelligence keeping more eyes and ears open to enemy activity than ever before, the combination of Israel’s firepower and accurate intelligence would spell very bad news for the Assad regime should it choose to target Israel in response to an attack on Syria by the United States,” the Post wrote.

 

“Doing so would likely sign his regime’s death certificate.”

 

On Wednesday, Netanyahu’s security cabinet authorised a limited call-up of reservists, but the premier said members of the public had “no reason to change their routines.”

 

Haaretz daily said those to be called up numbered “a few hundred” personnel considered vital, including members of missile defence, air force, intelligence and civil defence units.

 

“We need to make preparations but also to go about our daily lives,” Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said on Wednesday.

 

News website Ynet reported on Thursday that “hundreds” of people were waiting outside a gas mask distribution centre in central Tel Aviv before it opened, and public radio said “thousands” were queueing at a distribution site in the northern city of Haifa.

 

Maariv said a centre in Jerusalem was forced to close on Wednesday after anxious residents grabbed all the mask kits on the premises.

 

Nevertheless, Maariv reported, “security officials said that the situation assessment was that the likelihood of an attack on Israel was low.”

 

The kits were first distributed during the 1991 Gulf War over Kuwait when Saddam Hussein’s Iraq fired Scud missiles at Israel as the US-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm.

 

The kits also contain syringes of the anti-nerve gas agent atropine for self-injection.

 

Yediot Aharonot diplomatic writer Shimon Shiffer recalled the 1991 attacks, which did not deliver non-conventional warheads and caused few casualties.

 

“Yesterday, against the backdrop of pictures of panicked civilians crowding the distribution centres for gas mask kits, I remembered something I said back then: ‘There are no chemical weapons, and there will be no chemical weapon attack,’” Shiffer wrote in the top-selling daily.

 

“It seems to me that what was correct then, is correct today too. I dare to say that no chemical weapon attack is expected on Israeli targets. We can relax.”

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11 juillet 2013 4 11 /07 /juillet /2013 19:35
India To Tap Domestic Companies for Acoustic Artillery Locator Systems

Sources said the Indian Army is reconsidering the purchase of the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system — similar to this battery positioned near Haifa, Israel — because Israel may transfer technology for the project.

 

Jul. 10, 2013 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI  - Defense News

 

NEW DELHI — After failing to buy sound ranging systems (SRS) from the global market, India’s Defence Ministry will send a fresh tender next month to domestic companies only.

 

The indigenous firms include state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL), which in turn will tie up with overseas companies to supply 34 of the systems at a cost of more than US $120 million, said Defence Ministry sources.

 

The first tender was canceled in 2008 because none of the bidders could meet requirements.

 

The Army would use the acoustic capabilities of the SRSs to locate enemy artillery to supplement the US-made AN/TPQ-37 weapon-locating radars bought in 2001. But maintenance on these radars has become costly because of a lack of spare parts, said Army sources.

 

The Army wants the SRS to be able to locate mortars at a distance of 10 kilometers, 105mm artillery at a distance of 15 kilometers and 130mm artillery at a distance of 20 kilometers. Under normal weather conditions, the system should be able to locate 60 percent of enemy artillery, said an Army official.

 

The SRS locates enemy weapons by the sound of their gunfire. It is designed for plains and desert terrain. The sound signals are then directed to surveillance and target acquisition units to direct return fire, explained the Army official.

 

The tender to be sent to BEL and ECIL stipulates that the SRS should be compact, man-portable, able to be rapidly deployed and function under rugged conditions.

 

The tender will specify that the SRS should be computer controlled, based on advanced microprocessors and able to be loaded with digital map data in field conditions.

 

Iron Dome

 

In addition to using sound ranging and weapon-locating radars, the Indian Army is reconsidering the purchase of the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system, said Defence Ministry sources. The revisit on Iron Dome was prompted by the possibility that Israel would transfer technology for the project, said a source.

 

In February, Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne told reporters at the Aero India air show in Bangalore that the Iron Dome is not suitable for the service.

 

India and Israel have been discussing the purchase of Iron Dome and the David’s Sling air defense system for more than two years.

 

David’s Sling is jointly produced by Raytheon of the US and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Iron Dome is manufactured by Rafael.

 

The Indian Army official said Iron Dome can detect and engage the Nasr, Pakistan’s tactical nuclear missile with a range of 60 kilometers.

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11 juillet 2013 4 11 /07 /juillet /2013 07:30
Iron Dome Fantasy And Reality

July 10, 2013: Strategy Page

 

Israel is making preparations to deploy a sixth Iron Dome anti-rocket battery this month, with two more coming within the next eight months. Iron Dome is the principal defense against short range rockets fired from Gaza or Lebanon. Iron Dome has a range of 70 kilometers against rockets, as well as artillery and mortar shells up to 155mm. Work is underway to increase Iron Dome range to over 200 kilometers. Meanwhile, Iron Dome remains a controversial mix of battlefield success and controversy.

 

For example, the Israeli military has had to keep repeating public reminders that the Iron Dome anti-rocket system was not meant for defending towns and villages but military bases and critical infrastructure (power and water). This reminder comes after Iron Dome successfully defeated a Hamas attack (using 1,500 rockets) last November. Many Israelis assumed this meant they could expect similar protection if there were a larger attack from Hamas or Hezbollah. But the military points out that Hamas has over 5,000 rockets and Hezbollah over 40,000. If one or both of these groups fired several thousand rockets, including longer range (over 20 kilometers) ones  the Iron Dome batteries would have to be used to defend military bases and power plants first (otherwise defense of the nation would be imperiled) before trying to cover civilian targets. With a smaller attack the existing number of Iron Dome batteries is sufficient to defend everything, which is what happened last year. But until it is possible to buy more Iron Dome batteries, a major attack will leave many civilian targets vulnerable. With eight batteries available next year, there will still be a need to concentrate on protecting key targets if there is a major attack. The military believes it would need twenty batteries to cover everything but it is unclear if the government can come up with the money for that. The U.S. is supplying some of the cash for this, but not enough for another dozen batteries.

 

The military has been pointing this out for over three years. The first mention was in response to announced plans to keep the new Iron Dome batteries in storage. At that time politicians were making much of using Iron Dome as a means of defending civilians living close to the border and vulnerable to rockets fired from Gaza in the south and Lebanon in the north. But it turned out that it takes about 15 seconds for Iron Dome to detect, identify, and fire its missiles. Most of the civilian targets frequently under fire from Gaza are so close to the border (within 13 kilometers) that the rockets are fired and land in less than 15 seconds. When longer range rockets are fired there are many more targets (civilian and military) to aim at and Iron Dome is much more effective. This is what happened last November, when Hamas fired many of its longer range rockets at larger towns and cities deeper in Israel.

 

This explains why, after Iron Dome was declared ready for action three years ago, it was surprisingly (to most Israelis) placed in storage. The air force said they would prefer to save money and put the Iron Dome batteries in storage, to be deployed only for regular tests and training or, of course, for an actual emergency (an expected large scale attack on southern or northern Israel). Politicians demanded that at least one battery be deployed along the Gaza border. Eventually all the batteries were deployed to defend a constantly shifting array of targets. Moving the Iron Dome batteries a lot is good training and confuses the enemy. Meanwhile the military sees Hamas and Hezbollah stockpiling larger numbers of longer range rockets that would enable massive use of long-range rockets against military bases (most of them more than 20 kilometers from the Gaza or Lebanese borders). The generals believe it's more important to protect the military forces, who ultimately defend Israel, and that's what Iron Dome will now be used for, at least when there is threat of a major rocket attack.

 

Iron Dome Fantasy And Reality

Since 2010 Israel has bought eight batteries of Iron Dome anti-rocket missiles. Five are in action and were responsible for defeating the Hamas attack last November, which used a lot of long range rockets. Each battery has radar and control equipment and three missile launchers. Each battery costs about $50 million, which includes 50-100 Tamir missiles (costing $50,000 each). Iron Dome uses two radars to quickly calculate the trajectory of the incoming rocket and do nothing if the rocket trajectory indicates it is going to land in an uninhabited area. But if the computers predict a rocket coming down in an inhabited area, Tamir guided missiles are fired to intercept the rocket. So far Iron Dome has been able to intercept 85 percent of missiles it identified as heading for an inhabited area. The latest version of Iron Dome has a longer range as well as more effective fire control.

 

This approach makes the system cost-effective. That's because Hezbollah fired 4,000 rockets in 2006, and Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have fired over six thousand rockets in the past eight years, and the Israelis know where each of them landed. Over 90 percent of these rockets landed in uninhabited areas, and few of those that did hit inhabited areas caused casualties. Israel already has a radar system in place that gives some warning of approaching rockets. Iron Dome uses that system, in addition to another, more specialized, radar.

 

The Palestinians are believed to have tried to defeat Iron Dome by firing a lot of long range missiles simultaneously at a few cities. In theory this could overwhelm one or two Iron Dome batteries. But Israel is able to keep 24/7 UAV watch on Gaza and spot attempts at large scale simultaneous launchers. This enables Israel to bomb many of the launch sites. This results in many rockets destroyed on the ground or launching erratically and landing within Gaza or nowhere near where they were aimed. Because Iron Dome can track hundreds of incoming missiles, quickly plot their trajectory and likely landing spot, and ignore the majority that will not land near people, the Palestinians tried putting hundreds of larger (long range) missiles into the air at the same time to be sure of causing lots of Israeli casualties. So far the Palestinians have not been unable to get enough rockets into the air at the same time to make this work. They may never get this to work, because they have to hide preparations for the simultaneous launch of many rockets and this is very difficult to do undetected.

 

The Palestinian rocket attacks have been around since 2001, but got much worse once Israel pulled out of Gaza in August of 2005. This was a peace gesture that backfired. From 2001 to 2005, about 700 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. Since the 2005 withdrawal, over 5,000 more rockets were fired into Israel. The rate of firings increased after Hamas took control of Gaza in June, 2007. In 2011 700 rockets and mortar shells were fired, this jumped to 2,300 in 2012 when Hamas briefly went to war with Israel. The retaliation was so effective that Hamas agreed to a ceasefire. Thus during the first half of 2013 only about 40 rockets and mortar shells landed in Israel.

 

Hamas has been bringing in more factory made Iranian and Chinese made BM-21 and BM-12 rockets. Hamas revealed, last November that they had brought into Gaza factory-made BM-21 rockets, each with a range of 20-40 kilometers. They also have lots more shorter range (six kilometers) Russian designed B-12 107mm rockets. The 122mm BM-21s weigh 68.2 kg (150 pounds) and are 2.9 meters (nine feet) long. These have 20.5 kg (45 pound) warheads but not much better accuracy than the 107mm model. However, these larger rockets have a maximum range of 20 kilometers and a flight time of under 15 seconds. Again, because they are unguided, they are only effective if fired in salvos or at large targets (like cities, large military bases, or industrial complexes).

 

There are Egyptian and Chinese BM-21 variants that have smaller warheads and larger rocket motors, giving them a range of about 40 kilometers and flight time over 15 seconds. Israel found that there are now dozens of even larger Iranian Fajr rockets, with a range of 70 kilometers, plus several hundred extended-range (40 kilometers) 122mm rockets, and even more standard range (20 kilometers) 122mm rockets in Gaza. Before last November there were thought to be over 10,000 rockets stored in Gaza. But between Iron Dome and attacks on storage sites by artillery and smart bombs, over half of those rockets were destroyed.

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29 juin 2013 6 29 /06 /juin /2013 11:30
source dalje.com

source dalje.com

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 28 (UPI)

 

As the Middle East descends deeper into conflict, Israel's military is set to deploy its sixth Iron Dome counter-rocket battery, produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and is preparing to take delivery of the first unit of David's Sling, another Rafael anti-missile system.

 

The new Iron Dome battery, intended to shoot down short-range missiles like the Soviet-designed Grads used by Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, has been upgraded and its range extended. That means the system, the only combat-tested weapon in the multilayered anti-missile shield Israel is building, can intercept hostile rockets earlier in their trajectory and minimize damage and casualties.

 

Iron Dome, heavily funded by the United States, became operational in early 2011.

 

The fifth and sixth batteries received by the air force, which has control of all air defenses, are improved versions of a system that currently has a kill rate of around 85 percent of those rockets it engages. The sixth battery is expected to be deployed within two months, and could be delivered as early as July.

 

The Jerusalem Post reported that two further batteries could be deployed by January 2014.

 

Military planners have said they need 20 Iron Dome batteries to cover all of Israel, although the new-model systems, which can cover wider areas than the earlier variants and intercept multiple targets coming from different directions, may mean that fewer batteries will be required.

 

Israel's Defense Ministry, hit by budgetary cuts, has had to turn to Washington for funds to buy the batteries, which cost more than $50 million apiece.

 

The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency included $220 million in its annual budget in March for Israel to buy more Iron Dome batteries in fiscal 2014. That was the first time the MDA had specifically sought funds for Iron Dome, underlining the U.S. Defense Department's commitment to maintain military aid for Israel, outside the $3.1 billion it gets every year, despite major cuts in U.S. defense spending.

 

The U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee approved a $284 million funding increase June 6 for Israel's anti-missile shield, including an additional $15 million for the Iron Dome program.

 

The United States provided $205 million in 2011 for the Israeli air force to buy the first four Iron Dome batteries.

Israel gets sixth Iron Dome, awaits David's Sling

Iron Dome is the bottom tier of the four-level anti-missile shield the Israelis call "Homa," the wall, which will protect the tiny Mediterranean state against the short-range Grads, the longer range Iranian-built Zelzals and Fateh-110s possess by Hezbollah and Iran's strategic Shehab-3 intermediate–range ballistic missiles -- with more advanced Sejjil-2 weapons in the pipeline -- and Syria's Scud-D weapons.

 

David's Sling, being developed by Rafael and the Raytheon Co. of the United States, was unveiled at the Paris Air Show this month. Until then, all that Israelis been seen of it was a brief video of a secret test in the Negev Desert of southern Israel in November 2012.

 

Also known as Magic Wand, David's Sling is designed to intercept medium-range missiles at a range of 100 miles.

 

It's the next layer in the shield above Iron Dome and underwent its first test-flight in February. It's scheduled to become operational in 2014. Each missile costs $1 million.

 

After that comes Arrow-2, developed by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries. The $1 billion program was heavily financed by the Americans. Two Arrow-2 batteries are known to have been deployed to intercept ballistic missiles at high altitude and long range.

 

A more advanced variant, Arrow-3, is currently being developed by IAI and the Boeing Co. of the United States. It will be more powerful, capable of intercepting missiles at altitudes of 70 miles or more outside Earth's atmosphere earlier in their trajectories than Arrow-2.

 

The primary function of the road-mobile David's Sling system in Israel's current threat environment is to counter the medium-range missiles like the Fateh-100s that Hezbollah now has in considerable numbers north of Israel and which can reach pretty much anywhere inside the Jewish state, including all its cities and major towns.

 

David's Sling will be able to backstop the two Arrow variants against ballistic and cruise missiles that get past them. It can cover all of Israel from a small number of launch sites around the country.

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26 juin 2013 3 26 /06 /juin /2013 15:30
Iron Dome Battery - source Israel Sun Rex Features

Iron Dome Battery - source Israel Sun Rex Features

Jun 24, 2013 Spacewar.com (UPI)

 

Tel Aviv, Israel - The U.S. Congress is pushing for U.S. participation in developing Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system and, if it succeeds, make the Americans partners in all the systems that constitute the Jewish state's missile defense shield.

 

The House of Representatives this month tripled U.S. President Barack Obama's request to boost U.S. funding of Israeli missile defense systems from $96 million to $284 million.

 

This followed earlier increases in U.S. support, which began in the 1980s with the high-altitude Arrow program for which the Americans have paid the lion's share of the $1 billion development costs.

 

All this is separate from the $3 billion in military aid Israel receives from the United States every year.

 

The House Armed Services Committee approved the $284 million funding hike June 6, including an additional $15 million in funding for Iron Dome.

 

That system was developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Haifa. It's the only one of the Jewish state's anti-missile weapons that's been tested in combat, with a claimed kill rate of 85 percent.

 

It's also the only one of those programs in which U.S. defense companies have not participated, and thus had no access to the advanced technology involved.

 

Iron Dome, the bottom tier of the Israeli anti-missile shield, is designed to intercept short-range missiles and rockets, the only such system in service in the world.

 

Its unique feature is its computerized fire-control system, which can determine the trajectories of hostile missiles. It only engages those that will hit populated areas and ignores those that won't.

 

U.S. defense contractors, and members of Congress, have wanted to participate in Iron Dome for some time.

 

The House committee's funding increase stipulated, in an amendment proposed by Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., that "it may be obligated or expended for enhancing the capability of producing the Iron Dome system program in the United States, including for infrastructure, tooling, transferring data, special test equipment and related components."

 

In March, the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency for the first time included in its annual budget funding of $220 million for Israel to buy more Iron Dome batteries in fiscal 2014.

 

That was the first time the MDA has specifically sought funds for Iron Dome, underlining the U.S. Defense Department's effort to maintain military aid for Israel despite major cutbacks in defense spending.

 

The agency is also expected to seek $520 million to fund other Israeli anti-missile systems, including the David's Sling and the high-altitude Arrow-3 currently in development.

 

The House of Representatives and the Senate indicated in 2012 they wanted to approve spending as much as $680 million for Iron Dome through 2015.

 

The U.S. has long sought access to the Israeli-developed technology and is clearly using military aid to the Jewish state as leverage.

 

The Raytheon Co. has been working with Rafael for some time on developing David's Sling, designed to counter medium-range missiles.

 

Arrow-3, being developed by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and the Boeing Co., is intended to intercept Iranian and Syrian ballistic missiles outside Earth's atmosphere.

 

Neither participation involves co-production.

 

The Israelis, although concerned that joint development of these systems with the Americans, could inhibit export sales -- India and South Korea are interested in Iron Dome and Arrow -- would seem to have little choice but to accept U.S. participation.

 

In 2012, the House Armed Services Committee called on the MDA to "explore any opportunity to enter into co-production" of Iron Dome, given the scale of U.S. funding, even though Washington had no legal rights to the Israeli technology.

 

Israel initially opposed that and ruled out co-production. It offered Washington data on the technologies used in Iron Dome's Tamir interceptor rockets, provided intellectual property rights were observed.

 

But this was not enough for the House, or U.S. companies that saw the prospect of blunting the impact of the cutbacks in U.S. defense spending and the layoffs these would cause.

 

However, in March, possibly because of Israel's own defense budget cuts, Brig. Gen. Shachar Shohat, a senior officer in Israel's missile forces, said setting up a parallel U.S. factory to make Tamirs could be a "win-win situation for both countries."

 

He stressed this would allow the Americans to benefit from their financial support for Israel.

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24 avril 2013 3 24 /04 /avril /2013 07:30
U.S. seeks $220 million for Israel missile defense

Apr 23, 2013 Spacewar.com  (UPI)

 

Tel Aviv, Israel - The Pentagon has stepped up efforts to fund Israel's anti-missile shield with the Missile Defense Agency requesting $220 million in fiscal 2014 for Israel's air force to buy more Iron Dome batteries.

 

It's the first time the MDA has specifically sought funds for Iron Dome, developed and built by Haifa's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, in its annual budget process.

 

That underlines the U.S. Defense Department's effort to maintain military aid for Israel despite major cutbacks in defense spending.

 

The agency is also expected to seek another $520 million to fund other Israeli anti-missile systems, including the David's Sling and the high-altitude Arrow 3, which is under development.

 

"The money, if approved, would be on top of the $486 million the White House and Congress have requested or added for Iron Dome in recent years after formal budgets were submitted," The Jerusalem Post reported.

 

The House of Representatives and the Senate indicated in 2012 "they wanted to approve spending as much as $680 million for Iron Dome through 2015."

 

Iron Dome, designed to shoot down short-range missiles and rockets and recently upgraded to counter longer-range weapons as well, became operational in early 2012. But the Israeli air force, which has responsibility for air defense, has only acquired five batteries, several of those with direct U.S. funding on top of the annual $3.1 billion in U.S. military aid Israel receives.

 

That allowed Israel to deploy all five batteries during an eight-day November clash with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

 

By official count, Iron Dome successfully intercepted 84.6 percent of the rockets it engaged, including several that for the first time targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Iron Dome's Tamir interceptors engage only those projectiles its computer calculates will hit populated areas and ignores the rest.

 

Several missile scientists and others have questioned the system's kill rate, with one saying it was closer to 5-10 percent of rockets engaged than the government's assessment of 84.6 percent.

 

The government rejected the criticisms and is moving ahead with creating a multilayered defense shield against a sustained bombardment it fears by Iran, Lebanon's Hezbollah on Israel's northern border and Palestinian militants in the south.

 

David's Sling, being developed by Rafael and the Raytheon Co. of the United States, is designed to counter medium-range missiles.

 

Arrow 3, being developed by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and the Boeing Co., is intended to intercept Iranian and Syrian ballistic missiles outside Earth's atmosphere. In its first flight test a few weeks ago Arrow 3 achieved an altitude of 70 miles and intercepted a simulated missile threat.

 

The Arrow 2 variant currently in service will backstop at lower altitudes against ballistic attacks.

 

The fiscal 2014 request by the MDA includes funding for further Arrow 3 testing and a second interception flight before preparations begin for initial production.

 

There is separate funding for an Arrow "Weapons Systems Improvement" program that integrates data links between Israeli missile forces and U.S. weapons systems in the Middle East, reinforcing protection for the Jewish state.

 

MDA's funding efforts underline that the U.S. administration is seeking to ensure that U.S. military aid to Israel won't be affected by the so-called sequestration of U.S. defense spending.

 

The Congressional Research Service figures show that U.S. aid to Israel has increased since 1949 by an average of 28 percent a year, leaping 11.4 percent from 2010-13.

 

The Israel lobby in Washington is pressing for exempting Israel from automatic spending cuts being introduced in virtually all other U.S. government programs.

 

The commitment of U.S. President Barack Obama's administration to maintaining aid flow to Israel was also underlined by the Pentagon announcement last week that Israel, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will be receiving advanced weapons systems worth $10 billion over the next few years.

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel stressed during his visit to Israel this week that military aid won't be cut.

 

Antiwar.com, a U.S. website that's highly critical of the levels of U.S. military aid to Israel, recently cited a report on Israeli government expenditures that showed the Jewish state spends "a hugely disproportionate amount on its military, with roughly one-fifth of the overall national budget going straight into military spending."

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7 février 2013 4 07 /02 /février /2013 18:38

iron dome photo IDF

 

Feb. 7, 2013 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI  - Defense News

 

BANGALORE, India — India has rejected Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, offered to the Indian Air Force nearly two years ago.

 

Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, told reporters at Aero India 2013 that Iron Dome is not suitable for the service.

 

The announcement puts to rest speculation in the media that India is negotiating to buy Iron Dome from Israel. Sources in the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) attending Aero India said India and Israel have been discussing the purchase of Iron Dome and the David Sling air defense system, jointly made by the U.S. and Israel, for more than two years.

 

No MoD official would comment on Browne’s statement, but sources say his announcement will make it difficult for India to buy the system. The fate of David Sling is also uncertain now, added MoD sources.

 

David Sling is jointly produced by Raytheon and Rafael Advanced Systems of Israel, while Iron Dome is manufactured by Rafael.

 

Israel showcased the Iron Dome at Aero India alongside David Sling. Israel has used Iron Dome against short-range rockets fired by Hamas and Gaza groups. The David Sling system is a medium- to long-range rocket and cruise missile defense system to provide ballistic missile defense.

 

In early 2009, India inked a $2.2 billion joint venture with Israel under which India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation works with Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael to develop a 70-kilometer medium-range surface-to-air missile program. The system would be used by the Indian Air Force and also sold to the Israeli defense forces.

 

India also is developing its own ballistic missile defense system called the Prithvi Air Defense system. The first phase is expected to be completed in 2013-’14.

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5 février 2013 2 05 /02 /février /2013 08:35

 

Iron Dome source Rafael

 

3/2/2013 IsraelDefense

 

Israeli Rafael to present a variety of air defense systems it is developing at the AeroIndia 2013 exhibition

 

The Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will present a wide range of capabilities and technologies at the AeroIndia 2013 exhibition, which will begin this week in India. In the framework of the expo, the company will present numerous air defense systems for the first time, including the Iron Dome system for countering short-range missiles and rockets.

 

Other items that will be presented at the exhibition are the Stunner missile, the David’s Sling interceptor system for protecting against medium-range missiles and rockets, the Spyder air defense system based on the Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles and the MIC4AD, a command and control air and missile defense systems. In the field of precision armaments, Rafael will present the Spice system – an advanced precision system that provides advanced capabilities to ordinary bombs, and the Spike family of electro-optic multi-purpose missiles for ranges of up to 25 kilometers, which can be launched from a variety of platforms.

 

Rafael will also display the RecceLite pod, an electro-optic system for real-time observation and intelligence collection; the Lightening electro-optic attack and navigation pod for combat aircraft; the multi-sensory ImiLite system for reception, processing and distribution of intelligence information originating from many intelligence platforms, communication systems and more.

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4 février 2013 1 04 /02 /février /2013 19:39

Missile Defence Bowls

 

TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 4 (UPI)

 

Israel may be on the brink of major defense sales to India following a visit by India's air force commander, Air Marshal Nak Browne.

 

Military sources say Browne was particularly interested in upgrading India's fleet of Israeli-built unmanned surveillance vehicles and acquiring the advanced missile defense systems that Israel's high-tech defense industry, the most advanced in the Middle East, is developing.

 

India has been discussing a possible "buy and build" deal involving the Iron Dome system, the only one of four air-defense systems under development to have been tested in combat, for some time.

 

The Indians also want to produce the system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, under license.

 

Israel's Globes business daily reported in December that the Indians say Israel has agreed to such a sale. But there could be a major hitch because the United States provided much of the financing for Iron Dome's development and the Pentagon may not want the technology transferred to India, even though it's a leading U.S. ally.

 

India has also expressed interest in Israel's Arrow-2 anti-ballistic missile system manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and the Boeing Co. of the United States. But the technology transfer involved could impede any sale since U.S. approval would be required.

 

With a significant slowdown in the growth of high-tech exports to the United States and Europe, Israeli defense exporters are shifting their marketing focus to Asia.

 

Browne, who visited Israel in late January, met with outgoing Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and Israeli air force commander Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel.

 

The Indian air chief served in Israel as India's first military attache after New Delhi recognized India in 1997.

 

India is the world's biggest arms importer. Its total military expenditure in 2011, excluding nuclear weapons, was $44.28 billion, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute states.

 

India is expected to spend up to $150 billion at home and abroad on modernizing its military over the next decade but the Indian government and military chiefs have urged an accelerated drive to build up a national defense industry to reduce military imports and is pressing suppliers like Israel to participate in joint ventures if they want a piece of India's defense business.

 

New Delhi also wants to bolster self-reliance as it seeks to extend its military reach beyond its home waters, in part to counter Chinese expansion into the Indian Ocean.

 

In October 2012, Israel Aerospace Industries, flagship of the Jewish state's defense sector, reportedly secured a $958 million contract from India's military to upgrade its IAI-built Heron and Searcher unmanned aerial vehicles.

 

UAVs are some of the biggest money-spinners for Israel's defense industry and India, which is engaged in a massive multiyear rearmament program, is a key customer.

 

Indian media reported that the deal covered some 150 UAVs acquired from IAI since the 1990s that are operated by India's army, air force and navy.

 

IAI won a $1.1 billion deal with the Indian navy in 2009 to provide advanced Barak-8 tactical air-defense missile systems for its warships.

 

The Indian army is jointly funding a project to adapt the Barak 8 into a multi-purpose weapons system.

 

Also in 2009, Rafael secured a $1 billion contract with New Delhi for 18 Spyder surface-to-air missile systems by 2012.

 

IAI sold the Indian air force three Phalcon early warning aircraft worth $1.1 billion in 2004.

 

All told, Israeli companies have sold India weapons and other military systems worth more than $10 billion over the last decade or so.

 

In 2007, Israel dislodged France as India's second largest arms supplier after Russia but there have been bumps.

 

In March 2012, India blacklisted state-owned Israel Military Industries, a major arms manufacturer, barring it from bidding for Indian defense contracts for 10 years on suspicion of involvement in a 2009 corruption scandal.

 

Israel's Haaretz daily observed at the time that the Indian decision was "expected to significantly impact IMI's activities in India, as well as that of other Israeli defense firms."

 

Israel is now one of the world's leading arms exporters, with most of its key customers in Asia and the developing world.

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17 novembre 2012 6 17 /11 /novembre /2012 22:35

iron dome photo IDF

 

Nov. 17, 2012 - By BARBARA OPALL-ROME  Defense News

 

Simulations Meet Reality Amid Cross-Border Escalations

 

TEL AVIV — The largest Israel-U.S. air defense drill concluded last week under combat conditions as simulations and preplanned live fire were conducted amid actual rocket salvos from Gaza and escalation along Israel’s long-dormant border with Syria.

 

Multifront engagement scenarios designed for the thousands of U.S. and Israeli forces participating in Austere Challenge 2012 grew exceedingly realistic in the closing days of the biennial drill, as operators and joint task force commanders from U.S. European Command (EUCOM) witnessed at least four operational intercepts by the Israeli Iron Dome.

 

By the time the drill culminated Nov. 12 with live fire from U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (Pac-3) missiles, more than 120 rockets — including extended-range Grads — had been fired at the Israeli homefront, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents within 40 kilometers of the border into shelters. On Nov. 14, a day after the drill officially concluded, the Israeli military launched “Operation Pillar of Defense,” a widespread aerial campaign aimed at reducing the rocket and missile threat from Gaza.

 

In parallel, Israeli forces last week fired their first shots into Syria since the 1973 war in response to stray shells from the ongoing Syrian civil war that landed in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

 

Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai said the two separate engagements with Syria — warning shots Nov. 11 and a direct hit on a Syrian artillery launcher Nov. 12 — offered a clear message to Syrian President Bashar Assad that Israel would not tolerate spillover from internal Syrian clashes into Israeli territory.

 

At week’s end, as most of the 1,000 or so U.S. military personnel stationed in Israel for the drill were making their way back to Germany, Israel’s Northern Command remained on high alert for threats from Syria. Down south, Iron Dome batteries were activated against the rocket threat while the Israel Air Force intensified airstrikes against weapon storage sites, smuggling tunnels and other targets throughout the Hamas-administered Gaza Strip.

 

“These are very difficult days [which require] further bilateral cooperation in defense against future missile threats, as well as persistent operations against Hamas and the Iranian terror threat in Gaza, which is likely to intensify and expand,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters.

 

Barak hailed the Austere Challenge drill for underscoring the deep cooperation between the two militaries and for bolstering Israeli deterrence.

 

In a press call before the drill, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, commander of the Third Air Force and regional air defense commander for EUCOM, said the $30 million drill, known as AC12, marked the largest in the history of U.S.-Israeli strategic cooperation. It involved Pac-3 batteries, an Aegis cruiser, the U.S.-operated AN/TPY-2 X-band radar deployed here and advanced communications links enabling simulated joint task force operations.

 

Overall, more than 3,500 U.S. military personnel, from multiple locations across Europe and the Mediterranean and in Israel, took part in the drill, which involved a logistics-centric deployment phase, extensive simulated joint task force operations against salvos on multiple fronts and Patriot live fire against simulated targets.

 

The Israeli contribution was estimated at 30 million shekels ($76.4 million). It involved nearly 2,000 personnel and all layers of Israel’s planned multitiered active defense intercepting network, including the Arrow, Iron Dome, Patriot and Pac-2, used against air-breathing targets, and command-and-control elements of the developmental David’s Sling.

 

Franklin insisted the scenarios simulating salvo attacks on multiple fronts were notional and “not related to any particular recent world event.”

 

Nevertheless, representatives from both countries said last week’s barrage of Gaza-launched rockets, combined with fire across the Syrian border, injected real-life urgency to simulated joint operations.

 

“AC12 took place in a realistic threat environment, to say the least. Many of us will remember it as the nexus between simulation and actual combat,” an Israel Air Force officer said.

 

In the coming weeks, U.S. and Israeli officers will conduct post-drill evaluations and apply key lessons to the planning of the next major bilateral drill, scheduled for 2014.

 

Israel Air Force Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish, recently retired air defense commander, said the drill and ongoing exercises between drills were strategically significant in honing the ability of both countries to operate jointly against evolving threats.

 

“We’re not waiting for every other year to exercise together. Today we have a standing relationship with all the commanders, and we conduct a lot of small-scale training on a regular basis,” Gavish said.

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17 février 2012 5 17 /02 /février /2012 12:40
Facing a Growing Missile Threat, Israel revamps Air defense Command

 

February 16, 2012 Noam Eshel – Defense Update

 

Facing a growing threat of ballistic missiles and rockets capable of hitting any point in the country from distances of four, up to 2,000km, Israel has grouped its air defense forces into the ‘Air Defense Command’, integrating all active defense elements into an multi-layered defensive system. Israel’s missile defense wing currently maintains two principal assets, the ‘Sword Shield’ unit operating the IAI Arrow-2 ASIP (improved versions) since 1998, and the new ‘Iron Dome’ unit, equipped with three Rafael Counter-Rocket, Artillery & Missile (C-RAM) missile systems. The two systems were developed in Israel to meet specific requirements, peculiar to Israel at the time. The Arrow was designed to intercept Scud type medium range ballistic missiles, acquired by Iraq and Syria, while the Iron Dome was developed to defend from terrorist rocket attacks Israel has endured since 1968.

 

Arrow 2 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at their terminal phase, as they re-enter the atmosphere. Unlike the modern air defense missiles, employing ‘hit to kill’ interceptors, Arrow 2 uses an advanced ‘aimable’ warhead to increase hit probability when passing the target at extremely high closing speed. Arrow 2 ASIP represents the latest evolution of the Arrow system, capable of intercepting faster targets, fired from longer ranges. The next step in its evolution is the Arrow 3 Exo-Atmospheric missile interceptor, currently in development. With thrust vectoring kill vehicle designed for hit-to-kill intercept, Arrow 3 will provide the ‘upper tier’ for the Israeli missile defense system, engaging hostile missiles in space, through their midcourse phase. The proliferation of ballistic missiles throughout Asia has triggered missile defense programs in the region, and the Israelis are hopeful that the newly expanded cooperation with the Boeing Company will open new opportunities for export of Arrow systems.

 

A most significant change will take place in 2013, as the new David’s Sling missile system, currently in final developmental testing at Rafael, will reach initial operational capability. Unlike the task specific Arrow 2 and Iron Dome, David’s Sling was developed as a flexible, multi-purpose weapon system capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic and guided missiles as well as long range ballistic rockets. The missile is designed for land based, maritime and airborne applications. Providing a common missile known as ‘Stunner’, it is fitted with a dual seeker (IIR+RF) and a powerful multi-stage rocket motor enabling all weather operation and powerful kinematics including effective endgame maneuverability at extended ranges. David’s Sling will initially deploy with the IAF ‘Air Defense’ wing, replacing the Hawk missiles.

 

The system’s primary role will be to intercept medium and long-range ballistic and guided rockets, such as the Fajr-5 and M-600 (a Syrian copy of the Iranian Fateh-110), carrying half-ton warhead, these threats have a range of about 300 kilometers.

 

A different threat expected from the sea is the Russian supersonic Yakhont anti-ship missile recently delivered to Syria. This threat would be challenged by another air-defense system developed in Israel – IAI’s Barak 8. The missile, developed by IAI is designed to replace the existing Barak I point defense missile system deployed on the Israeli Saar V corvettes, providing extended ‘networked’ air defense protecting naval forces or offshore installations over a large area. Unlike the Arrow and David’s Sling, Barak-8 was developed without U.S. support, as it was designed primarily for the export market. Developed primarily as a naval air defense missile, Barak 8 is the cornerstone of the Indian Medium and Long Range Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM/LR-SAM). The missile made the first flight test in 2010 and the entire system is scheduled to enter developmental testing in Israel and India in early 2012.

 

Iron Dome represents the world’s first combat proven C-RAM missile system. The IAF is planning to deploy a fourth Iron Dome battery in the coming months and is mulling the possibility of stationing it in Haifa Bay to protect Israel’s strategic industrial hub located there. The Defense Ministry has allocated a budget to manufacture three additional batteries by the end of 2012. IAF operational requirements call for the deployment of about a dozen batteries along Israel’s northern and southern borders. Future evolution of Iron Dome foresee the use of the system as a mobile asset, providing mobile land forces with protective C-RAM coverage, countering UAVs and defeating precision guided weapon attacks. Rafael is also evaluating a short-range complement for the current system, utilizing a guided projectile to be developed with the Italian group Oto-Melara.

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3 décembre 2011 6 03 /12 /décembre /2011 08:00

http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=39132

photo Israel Sun/Rex Features

 

TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 2 (UPI)

 

The U.S. Army will decide in the next few weeks whether it will buy Israel's Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, to protect bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

Rafael and the U.S. Raytheon Co., which produces the Patriot air-defense system, teamed in August to market Iron Dome, currently used to defend against Palestinian rockets, in the United States.

 

Iron Dome is designed to counter rockets and artillery shells with a range of 2-43 miles. It's the first system of its type to be used in combat.

 

Yossi Druker, head of Rafael's Air-to-Air Directorate, said Wednesday that the winner of the tender issued by the Pentagon is expected to be announced in January.

 

"Iron Dome is said to be compatible with the U.S. Army's Counter-Rocket and Artillery and Mortar system, or C-RAM, as part of layered defense for military bases," The Jerusalem Post observed.

 

Iron Dome made its combat debut in April in southern Israel against Palestinian rockets and the military says it has notched a success rate of 85 percent against Palestinian rockets it sought to intercept.

 

The system's computer can distinguish which rockets will hit populated areas and those that won't. It only fires on those that endanger Israeli lives.

 

The Israeli air force, which is responsible for air defense, has three Iron Dome batteries operational, primarily in the south to counter short-range rockets fired by militants from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

 

But the military acknowledges that it needs 15-20 Iron Dome batteries to effectively provide protection from short-range missiles and rockets along the northern border with Lebanon and the southern frontier with Gaza.

 

So the Israelis may find themselves on the horns of a dilemma if the Americans decide they want Iron Dome: Who will get priority, homeland defense or developing a potentially lucrative export market for this unique system, the first operational short-range air-defense system in the world?

 

The Israelis say they face missile threats on several fronts, from Syria, Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and its allies in Gaza.

 

These threats range from intermediate-range ballistic missiles from Iran and Syria, with shorter-range weapons from Hezbollah and the Palestinians.

 

The nightmare scenario is that if a new conflict erupts in the Middle East, every inch of the Jewish state will be exposed to a sustained and unprecedented bombardment by these foes.

 

Military planners say this could last for weeks, with up to 200 missiles and rockets a day hammering Israel, including the massive urban conurbation around Tel Aviv in the center of the country.

 

Every Iron Dome battery will be needed but Israel's defense industry, like those in the United States and Europe, is increasingly dependent on export sales to keep production lines rolling amid global cutbacks in defense spending.

 

Singapore has reportedly bought Iron Dome, although no details are available and the Israeli Defense Ministry hasn't confirmed the sale. India and South Korea have also shown interest.

 

The air force expects to take delivery of David's Sling, another anti-missile system developed by Rafael, within the next year, Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the air force's Air Defense Division, said Thursday.

 

This system, also known as Magic Wand, is designed as the middle-tier of Israel's planned multilayer missile defense shield. It's designed to counter missiles and rockets with ranges of 25-185 miles.

 

Meantime, The Jerusalem Post reports that state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries is building a third battery of the Arrow-2 high-altitude, long-range missile interceptor to be deployed near Tel Aviv.

 

The Israeli air force has two Arrow batteries deployed in southern and northern Israel. The system is designed to counter Iran's Shehab-3b, Sejjil-2 and Soviet-designed Scud ballistic missiles. Syria also has Scuds.

 

Central Israel was chosen for the site of the new battery "because it provides the best protection for long-range threats which Israel faces from a number of directions," a military spokesman said.

 

IAI and Boeing in the United States are developing the Arrow-3, which will extend the range and altitude of the missile, which allows it to intercept ballistic missiles earlier in their trajectory and further from Israel.

 

The Arrow-3's first fly-out test is scheduled within the next few months. The United States contributed the bulk of the funds to develop the Arrow system.

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