Israel and the United States signed an agreement on Sunday under which the
Defense Ministry will receive full funding for the development and production of
the Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system.
The agreement was signed in
Tel Aviv by head of the ministry’s MAFAT Research and Development Directorate,
Brig.-Gen. Ofir Shoham, and the head of the US Missile Defense Agency, Lt.-Gen.
Patrick O’Reilly.
RELATED: Iron Dome system passes final testsF-35 jet purchase decision pendingIn May 2009, the Obama administration said it would
continue to support the Arrow project, as it had done since its inception over
20 years ago. However, Israel was concerned that the US would end the funding
due to major cuts made to the US defense budget by Secretary of Defense Robert
Gates. Development costs for the system are expected to reach some $100 million.
The Arrow 3 will likely become operational in 2012-2013.
The Arrow 3 will
be a longer-range version of the Arrow system currently in IDF operation, and
will be capable of intercepting incoming missiles at higher altitudes and longer
ranges. Israel and the US are also developing David’s Sling, a missile-based
defense system for projectiles with a range of 70-250
kilometers.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak left for Washington on
Sunday for meetings with top administration officials. Defense sources said the
talks were the continuation of Israel’s ongoing strategic dialogue with the US
and would focus on Iran, Hizbullah and the Palestinian peace
process.
While in the US, Barak will also discuss Israeli plans to
purchase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). America is pressuring Israel to
make a decision on the aircraft.
If Barak authorizes the move, Israel
would become the first foreign customer to sign a contract to purchase
the
advanced stealth fighter jet.
Under the proposed deal, it would likely
purchase one squadron of aircraft, which it would begin to receive in
2015 –
assuming that the project does not encounter additional delays in its
development.