Israel’s Iron Dome Closer to Completion
Last month, Israel successfully test-fired a missile defense system it developed, according to an Israeli Defense Minister official. A missile from the country’s Iron Dome system intercepted and destroyed a short-range rocket called Grad, similar to the Katyusha rocket used by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia.
Xinhuanet reports that Israel’s air force has set up a battalion for operating the Iron Dome. Israel is setting the stage. Faced with short-range weapon and mortar shell attacks, the country needs an anti-rocket system to neutralize these threats.
The Iron Dome is an anti-rocket shield designed to defend Israel from Hamas and Hizbullah rockets and also serves as a major component in a multi-layered missile defense system that includes the Arrow II anti-ballistic missile shield. The Arrow II is designed to counter Iran’s Shahab-3 missile, which has a range of 1,250 miles, far enough to hit Israel.
The Iron Dome may be ready to use in actual battle conditions sometime next year. Xinhuanet reports that Israel will deploy the system to the Gaza border, then along Lebanon’s border.
