Iron Dome defense system could be deployed first in North, IDF chief hints

[ErnstBlofeld]

Haaretz:

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi hinted Tuesday that the army might choose to deploy its first batch of Iron Dome defense systems along the northern border when they become operational this coming November.

The advanced anti-rocket system, which intercepts the type of rockets used by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, aced its final test-run over the summer

Two Iron Dome defense systems have so far been manufactured, and will become operational for the Israel Air Force anti-aircraft division. It has long been assumed that the system would be used to protect Israeli communities in the Gaza envelope.

But Ashkenazi told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday that "it is not certain that the first operational batteries, which will be ready in November, will necessarily be deployed in the south of the country.

Haaretz revealed in February that IDF does not intend to deploy the Iron Dome system on the ground, even once the system is operationally ready to go online.

Initially, the IDF wants to position the system in an air force base and to train the crews that will be operating it. Defense officials would consider deploying the system in and around civilian communities near Gaza only at a later date.

Defense sources told Haaretz then that they believe the Defense Ministry is intentionally trying to lower expectations surrounding Iron Dome so as not to provide an opening for the local council chiefs to lobby for their immediate deployment in their towns. Ministry officials are concerned that expediting the development and deployment of Iron Dome is cost prohibitive.

U.S President Barack Obama in May asked Congress for $205 million to support the development of Iron Dome, which intercepts the type of rockets used by Palestinian militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The defense establishment has not yet determined how many Iron Dome systems it will ultimately purchase from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. - the manufacturer of the Iron Dome defense system.

[AceRimmer]

Focusing them in the north of Israel is militarily logical. Egypt and Jordan won't attack them, but Syria would in a heartbeat, and Turkey is going radical right before our eyes, thanks to the Apologist-in-Chief bowing before Iran and every other nutjob he can find.