The Pentagon has given Israel a quick-fix $70 million to buy at least two Iron Dome counter-rocket batteries as part of an overall package of nearly $1 billion for the missile defense shield it is putting together.

U.S. aids Israel missile, seeks joint deal
The U.S. Department of Defense has given Israel a quick-fix $70 million to buy at least two more Iron Dome counter-rocket batteries.

The Pentagon has given Israel a quick-fix $70 million to buy at least two Iron Dome counter-rocket batteries as part of an overall package of nearly $1 billion for the missile defense shield it is putting together.

But, with both countries slashing defense spending because of global recession, there is talk of transforming Israel’s development of missile defense systems by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems into jointly owned and managed ventures with U.S. defense companies that would give the Americans direct access to advanced Israeli missile technology.

Iron Dome is the only operational system capable of intercepting short-range rockets and mortar shells, with a computer that can detect which incoming missiles will hit populated areas and disregard those that won’t.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, visiting Washington, said the provision of the immediate tranche of $70 million in aid would meet Israel’s fiscal requirements regarding Iron Dome for fiscal 2012.

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