Bill includes U.S.-Israel missile coordination

By · December 14, 2007

Congress is set to approve a plan to integrate the U.S. and Israeli missile defense systems.

The proposal, authored by U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), is part of the Defense Authorization Act passed late Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives and due to be considered by the Senate before Christmas break. Under the proposal, the secretary of defense must within six months present a plan to Congress a plan “to improve the coordination, interoperability, and integration of the U.S. National Ballistic Missile Defense System with Israel’s missile defense architecture,” a statement from Kirk’s office said.

Such a plan will help defend Israel against reported plans by Iran to build missiles that can reach Israel, Kirk said. “Israel will be the first and only country to fully integrate with the American missile defense architecture,” the statement said. “It is a symbol of our shared values and a safer 21st century.”