Israel, faced with missile threats from Iran, has increased production of Arrow missile interceptors “significantly.” (Source)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, “We will need to expand our arsenal of Arrow interceptors” which are capable of intercepting Iranian, Syrian Shihab, and Scud missiles. Israel’s air force also is upgrading existing Arrow interceptors to the new Arrow II missile system.
Earlier this month, Israel reported intercepting a ship that left Iran bound for Hezbollah carrying missiles, rockets, anti-tank weapons. Barak said the seizing was “another success against the relentless attempts to smuggle weapons to bolster terrorist elements threatening Israel’s security,” and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the weapons were “intended to hit Israeli cities.”
Israel and the U.S. recently conducted a joint missile defense exercise that simulated a response to an attack by the Islamic Republic, Syria, and Hezbollah. Among the systems tested were the Arrow II, THAAD, Aegis, and PAC-3. The Iron Dome is an anti-rocket shield designed to defend Israel from Hamas and Hezbollah rockets. The U.S. and Israel are working together to develop the Arrow III system to destroy multiple-warhead missiles and decoys.
Israel reported intercepting a ship that left Iran bound for Hezbollah carrying missiles, rockets, anti-tank weapons.
The ship had the appearance of an aid vessel, and the crew and chartering company claimed not to know what was on board. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the seizing was “another success against the relentless attempts to smuggle weapons to bolster terrorist elements threatening Israel’s security,” and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the weapons were “intended to hit Israeli cities.”
Almost eight years ago, Israel intercepted a ship carrying weapons to Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.
The U.S. and Israel recently conducted two joint missile drills, Juniper Cobra. The most recent drill was a simulated response to an attack by the Islamic Republic, Syria, and Hezbollah. Among the systems tested were the Arrow II, THAAD, Aegis, and PAC-3. Israel’s Iron Dome is an anti-rocket shield designed to defend Israel from Hamas and Hezbollah rockets and also serves as a major component in a multi-layered missile defense system. The U.S. and Israel are working together to develop Arrow III, designed to destroy multiple-warhead missiles and decoys.
Eli Shaked, former Israeli ambassador to Egypt, said this about Hamas and Hezbollah:
“The situation is becoming more and more complex because the weapons they are acquiring are more and more dangerous to civilian targets in Israel.”
Israel reported that Palestinian rebels successfully test-fired an Iranian rocket that can reach Tel Aviv. Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin said the rocket’s range is 37 miles, eight miles longer than the Grad used by Hamas. This summer, Israel’s Iron Dome system intercepted and destroyed a short-range Grad rocket, similar to the Katyusha rocket used by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. (Source)
Israel is in Iran’s sights, and the rogue state’s development of short-range rockets, coupled with longer-range Shehab and Sajjil missiles, puts Israel in a dangerous position. As mentioned in the previous post, Israel has been testing the Arrow II, THAAD, Aegis, and PAC-3 and working to improve its Iron Dome anti-rocket shield.
Defense contractor Raytheon recently won two contracts worth over $100 million to develop Israel’s David’s Sling Weapons System. Mike Booen of Raytheon said, “Large-caliber rockets and short-range ballistic missile threats are inexpensive, plentiful, easily concealed and largely exempt from international arms control accords. Stunner [interceptor] offers a near-term and affordable solution to this asymmetric threat.” counter short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets and cruise missiles in their terminal phase of flight.
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.
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. (Source)
Faced with short-range weapon and mortar shell attacks, Israel needed 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.
Sources report that the Iron Dome may be ready to use in actual battle conditions sometime next year.
Israel considers Iran its biggest threat. In May, President Barack Obama met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to talk about problems in the Middle East. While Netanyahu hoped Obama would take a hard-line against Iran, Obama wants to meet with the rogue nation by the end of the year to talk. It’s no secret that Iran has nuclear ambitions, although it claims the program is scientific and peaceful in nature.
The Heritage Foundation‘s James Carafano hits another one out of the park. He wrote a piece for Fox News about President-elect Barack Obama’s stand on missile defense: tough talk and no action.
Israel initiated an offensive against Hamas to protect its citizens and destroy the group’s launching sites and stores of weapons. The fighting between Israel and the Islamic Hamas has been going on for about 10 days. What’s missing is a way for Israel to shoot down rockets and mortars, which likely would bring an end to the fighting and loss of life.
“Directed-energy weapons (such as lasers) provide a proven capacity to interdict rockets, artillery, and mortars,” Carafano writes. “Together the United States and Israel have the technologies necessary to field these weapons. Fielding defenses now would lessen the potential for future armed conflicts. The Pentagon should aggressively press forward in deploying prototype systems that can protect populations and devalue and deter threats such as those posed by Hamas.”
Carafano points out that Hamas has been building its military infrastructure and violating a truce between the two countries negotiated last summer. Consequently, Israel’s actions are fully justified. Developing a strong and reliable laser defense system would give the country more protection against Hamas and other rogue groups and nations.
“The new Administration has opportunity to introduce a ‘game changer’ in the current Middle East conflict by helping speed the fielding of prototype defenses that can devalue the threat of terrorist missile and artillery arsenals,” Carafano writes. “Building these new weapons may be one of the most powerful contributions to peace in the Middle East that the United States could make in the near future.”
Late last month, Israel launched air strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza in response to Hamas rocket attacks in Israel. For the past nine days, Israel and the Islamic group have traded fire. Israel commenced ground attacks last week, which were criticized by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, among others.
The U.S. State Department called for a ceasefire this week between Israel and Hamas.
“We would like an immediate ceasefire, absolutely,” said spokesman Sean McCormack. “An immediate ceasefire that is durable, sustainable and not time-limited.”
The State Department has sent Secretary Condoleezza Rice to the United Nations to discuss the ceasefire. The U.N. and “Arab diplomats” have also called for an end to the fighting between the two forces. The U.N. estimates over 500 Palestinians have been killed, as well as a “handful” of Israelis. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whose party was ousted from Gaza in 2007, visited the U.N. this week.
According to Newsday, the U.S. blocked the U.N. Security Council from issuing a ceasefire statement.
President-elect Barack Obama has finally spoken out on the conflict. He said “the loss of civilian life in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern for me…After Jan. 20 I’m going to have plenty to say about the issue, and I am not backing away at all from what I said during the campaign, that starting at the beginning of our administration, we are going to be engaged effectively and consistently in trying to resolve the conflict in the Middle East. That’s something I am committed to.”
**Last Saturday, Israel commenced an air bombing attack on the Hamas-ruled Gaza strip. Riki Ellison, Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), said the skirmish between the two is evidence that Israel needs a strong missile defense system.
“Israel’s lack of protection of its citizens and nearby cities from a continued year round and recent escalated rocket and missile fire from Hamas in Gaza brought upon the Israeli decision to go to war that has and will continue to kill and destroy people and property in the Gaza Strip,” he said.
Ellison added that the MDAA recently toured the area in Israel under assault and determined that the only missile defense system is an early warning system. (Missile Defense Advocacy)
**UPI reports that Russia is testing a new missile for the S-400 Triumf air defense system. If successful, the system may be the ” most formidable long-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense system in the world.” (UPI)
**We’ve blogged about President-Elect Barack Obama’s reticence to go forward with missile defense bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. Defense firms in Arizona are concerned that under Obama, their work will slow down. Defense contracts account for over $12 billion of income to the state. Under President George Bush, firms have seen business double. Of course, if the war in Iraq ends, Arizona and other states will see a slow down. But the U.S. should keep up its missile defense for the sake of national security, war or no war. (The Arizona Republic)
**Defense contractor Boeing has snagged a $397 million contract to continue developing the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense program. This system will use interceptor missiles to shoot down enemy missiles in mid-flight. (AP)
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.
**Last Saturday, Israel commenced an air bombing attack on the Hamas-ruled Gaza strip. Riki Ellison, Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), said the skirmish between the two is evidence that Israel needs a strong missile defense system.