Israel, U.S. reportedly close radar deal

By · August 19, 2008

Israel and the United States reportedly have closed a deal to incorporate Israel into the U.S. missile defense system.

The deal, reported this week in Defense News and Ha’aretz, for the first time would station U.S. military personnel permanently in Israel manning X-Band radars.

The radars, incorporating satellite technology, would expand Israel’s missile detection capability from 600 to 1,300 miles and effectively give Israel early warning of any potential Iran strike.

Lt. Gen. Henry Obering, who heads the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, told Defense News in an interview, “We’re moving ahead as quickly as we can.” Ha’aretz said the system might be installed as early as this autumn.

Chris Taylor, Obering’s spokesman, confirmed the remarks to JTA and would add only, “Negotiations are under way as to how we can work with our partners.”

Ehud Barak, the Israeli defense minister, said during a Washington visit earlier this month that the deal was close to being finalized. He said the system, which relies in part on fixed satellites that are in fixed orbit over Iran, can notify Israel of a missile launch within 90 seconds.