The Iron Dome missile defense system is being deployed today near Beersheva to provide the Negev capital with partial protection from missiles fired from the Gaza Strip. Deployment of the defense battery was completed by midday and the system will become operational later this afternoon.
The decision to deploy the battery was taken in response to the firing of rockets targeting Beersheva last week. Later today the IDF may decide to deploy a similar system to protect Ashkelon. However, the Israel Air Force describes the deployment of the battery near Beersheva as an "operational trial" and warns that it cannot intercept every rocket.
The Iron Dome anti-missile system, which has been developed over many years at an investment of billions of shekels, still has many limitations. The system cannot provide full protection and it has been reported that it offers no defense against mortar shells or kassam rockets.
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 27, 2011
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