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Thursday, November 20, 2025
Defense Ministry signs multibillion-dollar contract with Rafael to expand Iron Dome system
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israel’s Defense Ministry says it has signed a multibillion-dollar contract with the Rafael defense firm to expand the serial production of the short-range Iron Dome air defense system.
The procurement order was signed by Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram today, following “comprehensive negotiations” between ministry officials and Rafael.
The deal will see Rafael deliver a “substantial quantity” of Iron Dome interceptors to the Israeli military, the ministry says.
The funds come from an $8.7 billion US aid package to Israel that was approved by Congress in April 2024. The package allocated $5.2 billion toward enhancing Israel’s air defenses.
The Iron Dome is the lowest layer of Israel’s multi-tiered air defense system, and it has downed tens of thousands of rockets, mortars, and drones launched at Israel since 2011, mostly during the current war.
The Israeli Air Force’s Aerial Defense Array has four Iron Dome battalions, including two that were reestablished during the war. The Israeli Navy also has a version of the Iron Dome aboard its four Sa’ar-6 class corvettes.
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