US lends 2 Iron Dome systems to Israel

The Israeli Defense Ministry told members of Congress at a briefing on Oct. 18 that it plans to lease the Iron Dome system back to Israel, a U.S. official said. In this type of financing arrangement, ownership remains with the U.S. 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 the 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. 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 the Hamas movement 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 the country 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