The United States Army has sent Congress a 14-page document requesting approval of $373 million towards purchasing a few of Israel’s widely acclaimed Iron Dome missile-interception systems.
It has sought to receive by 2020 two Iron Dome batteries with 12 launchers, 240 interception missiles, two battle-management systems and two radar systems to enable U.S. ground forces’ protection against artillery, rockets, cruise missiles, mortars and unmanned air vehicles in conflict areas globally, according to Inside Defense.
“Based on an analysis of cost, schedule and performance, the Army [has decided to]: field two interim IFPC batteries of Iron Dome in [fiscal year] 2020,” stated the document.
The Iron Dome, a short-range missile interceptor, was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is the first component of Israel’s three-part missile-defense arsenal that also includes the medium-range David’s Sling interceptor and the long-range Arrow missile-defense system.
Reportedly, the United States has been searching for a mechanism to shield American ground forces from threats in numerous conflict areas over the past several years, having tried to create their own interceptor systems.