US lends 2 Iron Dome systems to Israel

The Israeli Defense Ministry informed members of Congress at a briefing on October 18 that it intends to lease the Iron Dome system to Israel, a US official said. In this type of financing arrangement, ownership remains with the US buyer.

Iron Dome system. Photo: Reuters

The official said the transfer back to Israel could take place in the next few days. The Pentagon has been reviewing and testing these systems as a way to defend the territory of Guam.

The White House said on October 16 that it expected to respond to additional security requests from Israel as quickly as possible. Mr. Biden promised to add interceptors and additional ammunition to Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, in addition to doubling the US military presence in the region.

Iron Dome was developed by Israeli defense company Rafael with US support to defend against rockets fired from Lebanon at Israeli towns during the 2006 war with Hezbollah and from Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which Hamas took control of in 2007. The system became operational in 2011.

In August 2022, Israel said Iron Dome had shot down 97% of the rockets fired at it by armed groups in Gaza.

Quoc Thien (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-cho-israel-muon-lai-2-he-thong-vom-sat-post269234.html