Missile shield

last updated 8 January 2015

Tel Aviv

Israel has deployed a new missile defense system to protect against a possible Iraqi chemical attack. When Iraq fired Scuds at Israel during the Gulf War, Israel had only the Patriot defense system—designed to shoot down aircraft, not missiles—and 39 Scuds got through. At U.S. urging, Israel refrained from firing back. But it says next time it won’t be so forgiving, especially if Iraq tips its Scuds with chemical or biological agents. The $2 billion Arrow system, built with U.S. aid, won’t cover all of Israel for two more years, but it can already protect Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other large cities. Soldiers are practicing reloading the missile launchers while wearing gas masks and protective gear. After receiving warning of a launch in Iraq, they will have less than six minutes to target incoming missiles.