Updated on
Summary The US is expected to allocate $680 million for Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile defence system.
Citing the Israel Hayom daily report, Xinhua said the fund will enable Israel to procure 10 batteries for the system, which will join the four it already deploys against intermittent rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.The fund is part of a $947-million aid package the US is slated to provide for bolstering Israels missile and rocket defence in 2012. US Congressman Steve Rothman, a member of the House Appropriations Defence Subcommittee, announced last week that the aid package has been approved in principle.This funding level is the highest ever appropriated in a single year for these life-saving systems and shows how vitally important they are for our nations national security and that of our key ally -- Israel, Xinhua quoted Rothman1 as saying in a statement.In another statement, the Pentagon said Israels security was a ‘top priority’ and that it would request funding to support the procurement of additional systems based on Israeli requirements and production capacity.The US Congress has previously allotted $205 million for the acquisition of the Iron Dome for the Israel Air Force, which operates the system.
