U.S.-Israel Military Cooperation:
Missile Defense

(Updated February 2013)

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The U.S. Congress and successive Presidential administrations have shown strong support for joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense projects. U.S.-Israeli missile defense cooperation has been authorized annually and appropriated in the defense authorization and appropriations bills. Missile defense cooperation is generally not considered a form of direct aid, but many U.S. and Israeli observers consider it a vital component of the Israel’s strategic relationship with the United States. Both countries contribute financially to several projects and share technology from co-developed weapons systems.

The U.S. and Israeli militaries also participate together in joint antiaircraft exercises (code named Juniper-Cobra), which generally include U.S. naval ships and ground personnel operating the Aegis, THAAD and Patriot missile shields in coordination with Israel’s Arrow interceptor.

Over the past several years, U.S.-Israeli missile defense cooperation has evolved to include the co-development of several systems designed to thwart a diverse range of threats, from short-range missiles and rockets fired by non-state actors, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, to mid- and long-range ballistic missiles in Syria’s and Iran’s arsenals:

Name: Iron Dome (כיפת ברזל)    Developers: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Elta; mPrest Systems    Target: Short-range rockets; Artillery/mortar shells (44 mile maximum distance)    Missile: Tamir Interceptor with electro-optic sensors and numerous steering fins    Cost: Battery - $50 million; Missile - $40,000    Battery Components: Tracking Radar; Battle Management & Weapon Control (BMC); Missile Firing Unit    Operational Timetable: First test- July 2009; First deployment- March 2011; First Interception- April 2011    Interceptions/Success Rate: 93 rockets at 90% interception success (as of April 2012) Overview: Israel's first line of missile defense, designed to protect from the short range rockets adn mortars fired by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The system has the capability to identify and destroy projectiles before they land in Israeli territory. One of the most advanced features of Iron Dome is its capability to determine where an incoming rocket will land and to then only intercept projectiles that pose threats to populated areas. In March 2012, the Iron succeeded in its first real battle test, when it intercepted more than 60 rockets fired by Hamas. Since 2010, the US has budgeted more than $800 million for Iron Dome batteries.

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Name: David's Sling (קלע דוד)    Developers: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Raytheon    Target: Medium- to long-range rockets (25-185 mile range)    Missile: Stunner two-stage Interceptor with electro-optical sensor & radar targeting system    Operational Timetable: Initial Operational Capability expected in 2012    Budget Allocation: $330 million from US government since 2006 Overview: David's Sling was developed as a flexible, multipurpose weapon system capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic and guided missiles. Its Stunner interceptor missile is designed for land-based, maritime and airborne applications and is fitted with a dual-band imaging infrared and radio-frequency seeker, as well as a multi-pulse rocket motor enabling all-weather operation. David's Sling was designed to target incoming missiles during their terminal phase, unlike the Iron Dome which intercepts missiles at their highest trajectory. Its primary role will be to intercept medium- and long-range ballistic and guided rockets, such as the Iranian Fajr-5 and BM-25 as well as the Syrian M-600 and Yakhont supersonic cruise missile.

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Name: Arrow Theatre System (חֵץ)    Developers: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI); Boeing    Target: Long-range conventional ballistic missiles; high-altitude nuclear warheads (Arrow-3)    Cost: $3 million per unit    Budget Allocation: $825 million from US government since 2006; ~$300 million from Israeli government    Battery Components: Arrow Interceptor; early-warning AESA radar; command & control center; launcher    Operational Timetable: First deployment (Arrow2)- October 2000; First test (Arrow3)- January 2012 Overview: The Arrow is designed to give Israel a full theatre ballistic missile defense capability.  The original versions (Arrow-1 & -2) were initially greenlit in 1988 and became operation in 2000 to protect against long-range conventional missiles. In August 2008, the US and Israel began production of the Arrow-3 which is comprised of an exoatmospheric interceptor and proportional navigation to directly target an incoming missile outside of the earth's atmosphere, thereby preventing collateral damage from impact with a nuclear warhead.  The Arrow has a greater accuracy (99% kill rate) and a longer targeting range (missiles of over 600 miles). Currently, Israel has two Arrow-2 batteries deployed in the center of the country and will test the Arrow 3 in-flight soon. The Arrow 3 will be the most advanced missile defense system in the world and will help Israel defense itself against threats such as those from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.

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Name: Patriot    Developers: Raytheon; Hughes; RCA    Target: High-Perfomance Aircraft; mid- and long-range tactical ballistic missiles    Missile: Surface-to-Air Interceptor (SAM)    Battery Components: Stationary launcher (with 4 missiles); scanning radar; command & control center    Operational Timetable: First deployment (US) - 1984; First Activity (Israel) - 1991 Overview: The Patriot missile system was first used in Israel during the Gulf War when Saddam Hussein fired Scud missiles at Israel and it had a 40% claimed success rate in shooting down incoming missiles. The Israeli government, however, with dissatisfied with the performance and has worked to update the system and will now be phasing it out for the David's Sling. The upgraded versions, PAC-2 and -3, provide a more reliable and lethal capability to defeat advanced threats - including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs - in almost all operational combat environments. The newest Israeli version is set to replace the four-missile stationary launcher with a 16-missile launcher, which will make it better equiped to contend with a prolonged barrage of missiles. In 2006, Israel stationed a Patriot battery in Haifa to protect from Hezbollah rockets.  Another was placed in the north during 2012.

Defense Budget Appropriations Report for FY2006 - FY2012

($ millions)

Sources:
- Jeremy Sharp, "US Foreign Aid to Israel," CRS Report (September 16, 2010).
- "MDA Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Outline," Department of Defense.
- Yitzhak Benhorin, "US Earmarks $235 Million for Israel's Defense Systems," Ynet, (December 22, 2011).
- Malkah Fleisher, "US OKs Unprecedented Amount for Israeli Missile Defense," Jewish Press, (December 23, 2011).

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