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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

U.S. Continues Aid to Israeli Missile Defense Effort


The United States yesterday inked a deal to continue support for development of an Israeli defense system against short-range ballistic missiles, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency announced (see GSN, Aug. 4).
The David's Sling system is also intended to counter cruise missiles and heavy rockets. The latest U.S.-Israeli cooperation deal falls under a 2008 joint ballistic missile defense development agreement.
The new agreement covers additional preparation of the Stunner Interceptor, which is designed to target aerial threats traveling at lower altitudes between ranges of 44 and 155 miles (see GSN, May 21, 2009). The David's Sling system is also intended to address Israel's vulnerability to short-range missile and rocket attacks, a threat highlighted during the 2006 Lebanon War. Other Israeli missile defense efforts include the Arrow 3 system, which is intended to intercept long-range missiles (U.S. Missile Defense Agency release, Sept. 27).
The David's Sling development deal was signed by Missile Defense Agency chief Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly and several senior Israeli officials. It arrives against a backdrop of continued concerns over Iran's missile and nuclear development. Russia announced last week that it would prohibit the sale of advanced air-defense missiles and other armaments to Tehran, Reuters reported (see GSN, Sept. 27; Andrea Shalal-Esa, Reuters, Sept. 27).

http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20100928_9411.php


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