The Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee approved a defense spending bill yesterday (Jul. 15) that will provide $621.6 million for Israeli missile defense, including $351 million for the Iron Dome system that intercepts short-range rockets and mortars, AFP reported. Congress appropriated $235 million to the Iron Dome project last year, the report noted. The White House had requested about $176 million for the system for 2015, but lawmakers doubled the amount. Congress often increases funding for Israeli security projects sought by the president. The funding is part of the administration’s request of $3.1 billion for military assistance to Israel, the world’s largest beneficiary of U.S. foreign aid. “It works,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., chairman of the subcommittee.

The Iron Dome anti-rocket system has been successful in shooting down rockets and preventing Israeli deaths with a 90% success rate, an improvement of the 84% success rate achieved during Operation ‘Pillar of Defense’.
The IDF deployed its ninth Iron Dome battery this week, after it was scheduled to be prepared only in a few months and was produced in record time.

By Aryeh Savir
Tazpit News Agency