(Ha'aretz) Moshe Arens - The Iron Dome, developed by Rafael, is a superb technological achievement. It follows Israel's first technological breakthrough in ballistic missile interception - the Arrow, developed by IAI. It is an achievement unequaled anywhere in the world. The Iron Dome is a source of pride and gives us the feeling that we are not completely helpless against the rocket threat. But to be honest, whereas the Iron Dome can effectively defend small militarily important targets, it does not provide the protection that our civilian population in the south, and maybe tomorrow in the north, is entitled to. The idea that missile interception systems, when eventually deployed throughout Israel, will provide an impenetrable umbrella under which Israelis will be able to peacefully carry on their daily lives even when Israel is attacked by rockets, is an illusion. There are other ways to put an end to the rocket threat, and the government will sooner or later have to resort to them.
2011-08-31 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive