Congress expected to approve $160 million for Iron Dome

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed last week during his visit to Washington that the U.S. Congress is expected to approve an additional $160 million of funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system, Israel Hayom has learned.

Currently, there are seven Iron Dome batteries in operation, and the Israel defense establishment's goal is to have 14 batteries in operation by the end of 2015. The increase would provide Israel's skies with full coverage against rocket threats.

Last week, Netanyahu met with U.S. President Barack Obama, senior members of Congress and leaders of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, thanking all of them for the anticipated additional funding.

American officials involved in the budget allocation explained that the funding is meant to demonstrate the U.S. government's commitment to Israel's security.

Israel's defense establishment is in the planning stages of the multi-layer Homa (wall) missile defense system, which will include the Iron Dome (for protection from short-range missiles), the David's Sling (for protection from midrange missiles) and the Arrow (for protection from long-range missiles, including those that could be fired from Iran).

The Iron Dome is a joint project designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elta Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries. It was initiated by then-Defense Minister Amir Peretz in 2007, when the first government grant of 800 million shekels (about $231 million) was allocated to the project.

In 2010, under Obama's leadership, Congress approved a special budget of $205 million for the Iron Dome.