WASHINGTON (JTA) — A substantial proportion of the manufacture of Israel’s Iron Dome batteries will shift to the United States as part of a major increase in U.S. funding for the anti-missile program.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency last week announced an immediate transfer of $429 million to Israel to fund the program, considered critical in recent years in deflecting short-range rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.
A condition of the cash infusion is U.S. manufacture of the systems.
“Significantly enhanced levels of co-production by U.S. industry in the United States is a new stipulation under the agreement,” Richard Lehner, a Pentagon spokesman, told JTA in an email Wednesday. “Previously there were only nominal levels of U.S. industrial participation in Iron Dome production.”
The funding is on top of the $3.1 billion Israel receives this year in defense assistance from the United States and is a substantial increase over the $160 million Israel had been asking for the program.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
