Israel signed a multi-billion-dollar contract with protection contractor Rafael Superior Protection Methods to increase serial manufacturing of the Iron Dome missile protection system, the Protection Ministry introduced on Thursday.
The funding comes from a USD 8.7 billion U.S. support bundle accredited by Congress in April 2024, with USD 5.2 billion particularly earmarked to strengthen Israel’s air protection programs.
The Iron Dome system, developed in Israel and manufactured in collaboration with the U.S. authorities, supplies protection towards short- and medium-range rocket and missile threats, in addition to UAV threats. All through the latest warfare, the system has exhibited excellent efficiency with outstanding interception charges, delivering essential safety to Israel’s dwelling entrance towards missile, rocket, UAV, and cruise missile assaults. That includes cutting-edge applied sciences, Iron Dome ranks among the many world’s most subtle air protection programs. Rafael is the lead contractor for the system.
“The Iron Dome system has turn into one of many world’s most interesting air protection programs in historical past. Through the years, and significantly throughout latest army operations, Iron Dome has protected our nation’s skies and efficiently intercepted hundreds of threats from Gaza, Lebanon, and different theaters — serving as a protecting defend for Israeli residents,” Protection Minister Israel Katz stated.
Stressing the U.S. partnership in Iron Dome’s analysis and improvement, Katz added, “Collectively, we are going to proceed growing and enhancing the world’s most superior air protection programs — guaranteeing the safety of our state and Israel’s strategic superiority for many years to come back.”
Iron Dome is the best-known system in Israel’s multi-tiered air protection community. Romania turned the primary European purchaser of an Israeli Iron Dome with a EURO 2 billion (USD2.3 billion) deal signed in Might.
Different layers embrace David’s Sling, designed to shoot down medium-range threats at excessive altitudes, and the C-Dome system, designed to guard naval property from short-range threats. C-Dome made its first operational intercept in April 2024.
The Arrow-3 system, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles, had its first operational success when it shot down a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in November 2023. It’s broadly believed to be the primary time a missile was intercepted in outer area, although Israeli officers haven’t confirmed this.
Israel additionally turned the primary nation to deploy a laser-based air protection system, the Iron Beam, which intercepted scores of lively enemy threats in Might.
Worldwide demand for Israel’s army expertise has surged as European nations have elevated their protection budgets in response to Russia’s warfare in Ukraine. Israel set a brand new all-time file for protection exports in 2024, with gross sales reaching USD 14.79 billion.