Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Strengthening the Shield

Reuters is reporting that the U.S. will soon link Israel to a pair of advanced missile detection systems, to improve defenses against a possible Iranian attack.

Later this year, Raytheon will install a powerful, X-band radar on Israeli soil. Capable of tracking a baseball-sized object at a range of up to 2,900 miles, the system will improve detection of Iranian missile activity, including potential Shahab-3 launches against Israel. The medium-range Shahab-3 is the only operational Iranian system capable of striking Israeli targets.

Additionally, the United States will provide greater access to Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites, the overhead constellation that detects missile activity (and other events) through IR emissions. In the past, the Defense Department has provided DSP data to Tel Aviv on a case-by-case basis. But, judging from the comments of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israel will now apparently enjoy near-total access to the system.

Mr. Barak also said that his country and the U.S. are “in negotiations” over other, possible upgrades to Israel’s missile shield, built around the Green Pine radar and the Arrow II interceptor. One option would add U.S. interceptor missiles to the system, although the Israelis don’t seem particularly enthusiastic about that offer. From their perspective, addition of the U.S. missiles might result in a reduction of military aid for improvements of the Arrow II.

However, other reports have suggested that Israel might be interested in some American hardware, most notably the Aegis/SM-3 combination that shot down that dying spy satellite in February, and the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), under development by the U.S. Army. The Israelis are interested in full integration of their existing systems with THAAD and Aegis, building on the linkage that already exists. Currently, Israel’s Arrow II and Patriot batteries can share data with some U.S. systems, including Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers.

Barak indicated that the X-band radar will be deployed in his country “before the next [American] administration takes office.” That comments suggests that Tel Aviv is hedging its bets about a potential Obama administration, and his willingness to support Israel.

2 comments:

Papa Ray said...

Well, Obama thinks that Israel will attack Iran if they don't give up on their nukes this time. Either he is just trying to sound tough and in the know or he is just full of BS. Either way, I doubt he knows more than you or I.

Me? Well, I have filled up my 100 gal overhead fuel tank, twenty 5 gal containers and even filled up my old pickup's two tanks and it don't even run anymore. That is what I used my rebate check on, That and more food for the larder, more water storage containers and of course, more ammo.

I don't really think anything is going to happen, but I was a Boy Scout once, and we didn't stay at any motels.

Be Prepared

Papa Ray

Corky Boyd said...

“Barak indicated that the X-band radar will be deployed in his country “before the next [American] administration takes office.” That comments suggests that Tel Aviv is hedging its bets about a potential Obama administration, and his willingness to support Israel.”

I’m not sure what you meant by that, but you can rest assured Israeli leadership wants the radar system in place before Obama takes office. Obama has been vocal he will stop all development of ABM systems. Better to have it on Israeli territory than pleading with an indecisive president to get it. More and more John Bolton’s January prediction of an Israeli attack between the election and inauguration fits the scenario, assuming there is no movement by the Iranians.

Scary.