Paris 2011: Iron Dome quickly proves its worth
Having been developed in some urgency, Rafael’s Iron Dome dual-mission defense system is now operational, and in April an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) batte
Having been developed in some urgency, Rafael’s Iron Dome dual-mission defense system is now operational, and in April an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battery proved its worth for the first time when several Grad rockets were intercepted after launch from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. The IDF currently has two batteries in place, protecting the cities of Ashkalod and Be’er Sheva, and is in production with another four or five batteries to widen the area that can be protected.
Ultimately Israel hopes to have 10 to 15 batteries and plans to invest nearly $1 billion in the program. At least $205 million of that is coming from the U.S., that amount being allocated by Congress toward Iron Dome development and production in April.
