House Seeks Tighter US-Israeli Missile Defenses

US Congress approves $205 million for joint projects with Israel to manufacture missile defense systems against Iranian threat

Taken from Ynet News, 05.19.07
By Reuters

The US House of Representatives has adopted a measure aimed at weaving closer US and Israeli defenses against ballistic missiles of the type that could be fired by Iran.

Part of a $504 billion defense spending bill passed Thursday, the measure would redirect $205 million in Defense Department funds toward projects already underway in Israel.

It would provide $25 million more for Arrow missile co-production and integration, $45 million for a US-Israeli short-range missile defense system dubbed “David’s Sling” and $135 million to buy a Theater High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, fire unit.

All three projects involve interceptors designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of their flight paths.

The move was spearheaded by Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, the senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee and a candidate for his party’s 2008 presidential nomination.

It was a last-minute addition to the Democratic-controlled House’s version of the fiscal 2008 defense authorization bill, which still awaits action in the Senate and reconciliation of any differences between the bills

Overall, the House included about $8.2 billion for the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency, a net reduction of $764 million from the sum sought by President Bush.

The House authorized all $1.4 billion requested by the administration for the Patriot Advanced Capabilty-3 (PAC-3) and Medium Extended Air Defense System.

The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a booster group funded partly by companies involved in building missile shields, applauded the initiative to further integrate US and Israeli missile defenses.

“The more missile defense systems deployed the safer and more stable it is for the United States, our allies and our friends,” said Riki Ellison, the group’s president.