US commits increased aid for Israeli missile defence

US commits increased aid for Israeli missile defence

(NSI News Source Info) September 2, 2008: The US will provide Israel with aid to face a range of emerging threats, especially long-range guided missiles from Iran or Syria. No official statement has yet been made by the US or Israeli governments. However, in August Israeli press reports stated that US aid to the Arrow 3 programme - an upgraded version of the current Arrow 2 system - is currently planned to include USD750 million until the system becomes operational in 2013. The Arrow 3 will have a longer range than the current system and be able to intercept incoming Shahab-class missiles some 500 km from Israel, about twice the range possible with the Arrow 2. The Arrow 3 system will include a new Elta Systems Black Pine radar and a new interceptor missile. The latter will be built at IAI's MALAM factory in Be'er Ya'aqov. The total programme cost (including initial procurement items) has been estimated by the Israeli Ministry of Defence as USD1.5 billion, according to Israeli press reports. Little information is available on the Arrow 3. According to US press reports, Washington has pressed Israel to use the US-developed Raytheon SM-3 system, currently operational on Aegis warships, rather than developing the Arrow 3 system. Israel declined to procure the SM-3 to replace the current Arrow system, these reports claimed, but is interested in possibly acquiring two (or more) warships that may be armed with the SM-3. Image: Israeli press reports in August said that US aid to the Arrow 3 programme - an upgraded version of the current Arrow 2 system (pictured) - is currently planned to include USD750 million until the system becomes operational in 2013. (State of Israel)