Iron Dome in action
Photo: AFP
An additional Iron Dome battery will be deployed in another six months while three other batteries will be installed at the end of 2012.
During the recent escalation in southern Israel Iron Dome batteries stationed in Ashkelon and Beersheba succeeded in intercepting rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. The batteries are portable and can be moved according to security needs.
According to IDF estimates, the security threat on Israel has grown in the past year. The IDF is working under the assumption that an escalation and conflict on more than one front are possible. At the end of 2011, the IDF will be forming a new five-year plan which will address new means and platforms.
Meanwhile, the northern threat also continues to occupy the army. IDF officials are aware that both Hezbollah and Syria have thousands of rockets and missiles as well as sophisticated tanks. Each Israeli armored car is countered by at least 10 quality anti-tank missiles.
The army is also carefully monitoring the Iranian nuclear race. Some believe that recent Mideast unrest has turned attention away from Tehran sanctions.
Meanwhile, Israel has yet to find a solution to the shortage of protection kits for Israeli civilians. Israel has kits for only 60% of adults and 43% of children.
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