BICOM

The Israel Defence Force has suspended the purchase of the Iron Dome missile defence system, citing “budget cuts,” Ynetnews reported yesterday. The IDF has deployed three batteries so far and is scheduled to receive a fourth in the coming months. A fifth battery was supposed to be in place by early 2013. The defence establishment had originally planned to form an array of nine Iron Dome batteries.

Defence officials said that the Iron Dome’s operational success of 75%, proved pivotal in the latest round of escalation in the south, warning that the missile defence system is crucial to Israel’s home-front defence. An IDF source cited in the Ynetnews report said, “The current budget sends the Army back to 2003, when the IDF trained less than in any year.” In response the Ministry of Defence said, “In the economic reality, the budget is insufficient to complete procurement of the batteries. This issue will be submitted to the cabinet shortly.”

In the coming weeks, the Knesset’s Finance Committee is scheduled to debate a $1.48 billion budget increase for the defence establishment, as presented by the Treasury.