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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.

 
The The Associated Press reports that Israel wants to buy a missile defense system from the U.S. for protection against short-range rockets and mortar fire. Israel has its eyes on the Vulcan-Phalanx cannon and radar system, and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak will ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates to sell the system to his country.

Made by defense contractor Raytheon, the Vulcan-Phalanx will house the Iron Dome, an anti-rocket shield Israel successfully tested earlier this month, and two additional missile systems. (The Iron Dome is 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 anti-ballistic missile shield.)

Faced with short-range weapon and mortar shell attacks, Israel needs an anti-rocket system to neutralize these threats. Protection against long-range weapons includes systems like the Arrow II, which would counter Iran’s Shahab-3 missile.

In related news, Iran has warned Israel not to attack its nuclear sites. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently called Israel a “most cruel and repressive racist regime” during a United Nations conference in Geneva. Iran is developing long-range missiles and a nuclear program, and countries like Iran and Syria have Israel in their sights.

Last year it was reported that Israel may preemptively strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, and Iran said it would retaliate by deploying the Shahab-3. Syria’s president said that if Israel attacks Iran, there would be “catastrophic consequences for the entire world.” Despite the tension, Israel is still interested in peace talks with these rogue nations.

 
In July, we mentioned that the U.S. was considering deploying missile defense X-band radar to Israel to protect against possible Iranian attacks. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Robert Gates, secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, agreed to “explore” the possibility of sharing missile early warning launch information and funding two projects that would defend against short-range rockets and mortars.
 
Israeli state radio reported yesterday that the U.S. has carried out its plan to deploy missile defense radar, although a defense ministry spokesperson denied the deployment. The radar has a range of over 1,240 miles and is situated in the country’s south. According to the AFP, the base will be staffed by 120 members of the U.S. Army.

(Source: AFP)

In an effort to help protect Israel possibly from nuclear threat from Iran, the U.S. is considering deploying missile defense radar to the beleaguered country.
 
A source speaking on the condition of anonymity told Agence France-Presse that the “idea here is to help Israel create a layered missile defense capability to protect it from all sorts of threats in the region, near and far.”
 
At a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Robert Gates, secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, agreed to “explore” the possibility of sharing missile early warning launch information and funding two projects that would defend against short-range rockets and mortars.
 
According to Agence France-Presse, the defense missile radar is X-band, which can “target the warhead of a long or medium range missile in space.” The U.S. has plans to deploy X-band radar to the Czech Republic and has already deployed the radar to Japan.
 
Israel has been involved in an ongoing conflict with the Palestinians over which group will occupy the same area of land. Whether the disagreements eventually are resolved in a two-state or binational solution, who knows? That’s a separate issue from the more pressing one: neighbors with nuclear weapons. Let’s hope the decades-old goal of “peace in the Middle East” (not to mention nuclear bomb-free) will be reached in our lifetimes.
 
Source: Agence France-Presse