Israel to deploy Iron Dome anti-missile system across southern territories

[News_Editor]

Israel to deploy Iron Dome anti-missile system across southern territories

2011-03-26 06:25:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday announced that the Iron Dome missile defense system will be deployed in the coming days to protect Israel's southern territories.

The order was given by Defense Minister Ehud Barak in light of the recent rocket attacks in southern Israel. The missile defense system is currently in an accelerated process of assimilation in the Israeli Air Force in order to becoming fully operational.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz said the Iron Dome is undergoing an evaluation stage on an operational level and is expected to protect Israel’s southern communities from rocket threats coming from the Gaza Strip.

The missile defense system is planned to protect Israeli civilians from homemade and imported missiles fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza, as well as the more sophisticated rockets in the hands of Hezbollah followers in the border with Lebanon.

"Some 100 rockets and mortars have hit communities further than usual, including Beersheba, Ashdod, Sderot, Ashkelon, and the Gaza border-region communities. We have no intention to allow terrorist organizations to renew the situation and breaking the status quo," said Barak.

The Iron Dome uses sophisticated radar to track incoming missiles, intercept and destroy them away from its targets, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. It also includes 20 Tamir missile interceptors.

Last November, Israel announced that a multi-layered air defense network which combines short-range rocket interceptors with kamikaze satellites that blow up ballistic missiles in space, will be completed and fully operational by 2015.

According to IDF, over 130 mortar shells, Qassam rockets and Grad rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory since January. From this amount, more than 56 rockets were fired last week.

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