Global Security Newswire

The United States does not plan to reduce funding for creation of a new Israeli missile defense system, the Jerusalem Post reported today (see GSN, April 10).

Washington made known its intention to maintain funding levels for the Arrow 3 missile shield during a meeting yesterday between U.S. and Israeli defense officials -- the same day Iran successfully tested a ballistic missile capable of striking Israel (see related GSN story, today). Jerusalem had worried that cuts in the U.S. defense budget would spell an end to funding for the project (see GSN, April 7).

The Arrow 3 system, once developed and manufactured, would be able to shoot down enemy missiles at greater distances and higher altitudes than Israel's current Arrow missile shield. It is expected to cost around $100 million in the coming year.

The United States is also helping Israel build its "David's Sling" interceptor, which would be used to pick off missiles at ranges between 44 and 155 miles.

The U.S. and Israeli militaries this year have scheduled a major missile defense exercise, involving tests of the Arrow system and U.S. Aegis and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense technologies (Yaakov Katz, Jerusalem Post, May 20).