Australia considering buying Iron Dome missiles
Officials told a parliamentary committee Australia wants a ground-based missile defence system by the early 2030s, with Rafael interceptors in view
TIMES OF ISRAEL, AFP – Australia is considering purchasing missile interceptors developed for Israel’s Iron Dome as it seeks to rapidly build an air defence shield, officials say.
Citing rapid changes in warfare seen in Ukraine and the Middle East, defence officials told a parliamentary committee that Australia wants to have a ground-based missile defence system by the “early 2030s.”
Discussions are being held over the availability of the US Patriot missile defence system and interceptor missiles developed by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defence Systems for the Iron Dome, recently used in a new US Marines system and jointly manufactured with US company Raytheon.
Truck-mounted medium-range interceptors were tested by the US Marines in the Pacific territory of Guam in June during a regional war game in which Australia also took part.
Australia does not supply weapons to Israel and its purchase of Israeli defence products has come under political scrutiny.
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