Iron Dome system falls prey to budget cuts

The IDF has decided to stop purchasing Iron Dome defense systems due to recent budget cuts, the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper reported on Sunday. In case of a war the existing platforms will be placed near strategic locations, leaving civilian targets unprotected.

The Iron Dome system was developed as a solution to short-range rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel. Recent reports have said Iron Dome has a 75 percent interception rate.

According to the report in Yedioth, Defense Ministry Director Udi Shani told the manufacturer, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., that the IDF’s recent budget cuts will prevent the purchase of additional platforms.

Currently the IDF has three operational Iron Dome systems and will receive another in the next few months. The IDF’s Planning Branch had set aside funds to purchase two more platforms, one by the end of 2012 and one at the beginning of 2013.

The air defense system has a mobile platform, allowing the army to change its location during the time of war. The systems are currently located around Gaza, protecting Israel’s southern cities. Due to the small number of platforms, the IDF has decided that during a time of war strategic targets will get priority, leaving all civilians within rocket range of Gaza defenseless.

As part of the government’s decision to divert funds toward social causes, following the past summer’s protests, the IDF’s budget is set to be cut by up to NIS 3 billion. IDF Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz has previously warned that such a cut would harm the army and its readiness for various clashes.

After proving itself effective, the Iron Dome system raised interest from other countries, with South Korea considering a purchase and the US looking at deploying it at overseas bases.