The new X-band radar system 'permits an intercept soon after launch over enemy instead of friendly territory" (Sen. Joseph Azzolina,
Protecting Israel from Iran's missiles, Bayshore News, December 26, 2008).
The X-band radar would "integrate Israel’s missile defenses with the U.S. global missile detection network, which includes satellites, Aegis ships on the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Red Sea, and land-based Patriot radars and interceptors." (Ibid) .
According to a July 2008 report by Stratfor, the use of the more advanced X-band radar system would enable Israel to be more effective in the use of its Arrow and Patriot missiles (in comparison to its Super Green Pine radar system).
"This is our system and not that of Israel"
The Pentagon asserted --in no uncertain terms-- its central role in overseeing Israel's air defense system. US officials were clear as to the nature and ownership of the X-band radar project.
''This is and will remain a U.S. radar system,' Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said. 'So this is not something we are giving or selling to the Israelis and it is something that will likely require
U.S. personnel on-site to operate.'" (Quoted in
Israel National News, January 9, 2009, emphasis added).
In practice, since 2009, the US military controls Israel's Air Defense system, which is integrated into the US global missile defense system. Under these circumstances, Israel cannot launch a war against Iran without the consent of Washington and the involvement of of the Pentagon.
This Israeli-US integration in the area of air defense is part of an evolving process. It is part of a pattern of bilateral military cooperation which has unfolded since the launching of the joint US-Israel Arrow Weapon System (AWS) in 1986.
The AWS is a cooperative venture between Israel's Defense establishment and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. It was developed as a joint venture initative between Israel's Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Boeing. IKt is, however, largely funded by the the United States.
The stated purpose of the AWS is "to provide Israel a contingency missile defense capability and provide the U.S. technical benefits.... The U.S. and Israel are cooperatively developing the Arrow Interceptor, which is designed to help Israel defend its territory [against Iran]." (
Missile Defense Agency, 2011)
2011 "Military Aid" to Israel's Missile DefenseThere has been a significant hike in US military aid to Israel. In fact much of this so-called military aid constitutes a veiled increase in the US Defense budget.
Large shipments of US ordinance to Israel were ordered at the very outset of the Obama adminstration. A large part of these shipments, while officially tagged as "military aid to Israel", are part of a broader weapons arsenal under the (direct or indirect) control of the Pentagon. This reinforcement of Israel's missile defenses combined with the large shipments of US weapons should be viewed as part of ongoing war plans directed against Iran.
According to
a report by Israel's National News (December 23, 2011), the US Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees have approved a massive increase in US military aid to Israel. This aid is officially earmarked for the development of Israel's anti-missile system.
"The United States will double the special aid it gives Israel for the development and implementation of anti-missile systems, the Globes financial newspaper reported on Thursday.
According to the report, the House and Senate’s Committees on Appropriations approved the aid following a request by the U.S. Administration to approve aid totaling $106.1 million for the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic long-range air defense system, for the program to improve the basic capabilities of the Arrow systems, and for the David’s Sling mid-range anti-missile system.
Both Appropriations Committees went far beyond the request, the report noted, and raised the amount of aid from $129 million to $235.7 million in 2012
Steve Rothman, the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 9th congressional district and a member of the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, said that the Israel’s anti-missile programs advance U.S. interests in the Middle East." (Ibid)
This latest allocation is casually identified as military aid to Israel, when in fact its ultimate objective is to reinforce US-NATO-Israel's strike capabilities directed against Iran.
Barack meets Barak behind Closed Doors at a Jewish Community Center: "No Option can be taken off the Table."
On December 16, President Barack Obama is reported to have held a private meeting behind closed doors with Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak under the auspices of a Jewish community conference. The issue of an attack on Iran was discussed. "No Option can be taken off the Table."
