Israel to deploy two additional Iron Dome defence missile systems early next year 3007121.

Defense News - Israel

The batteries will join the four currently at the disposal of the IAF, with additional systems scheduled for supply in the coming years.

Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, Iron Dome is designed to shoot down rockets at ranges of 4 to 70 km and disregards projectiles that do not pose a risk of hitting populated areas.

Since becoming operational in March last year, the system has reportedly intercepted near 90 percent of the dozens of rockets fired by Gaza militants at southern Israel over the past year, prompting the defense establishment to call for the hasty procurement of additional batteries.

Three weeks ago, the IAF deployed a single battery near the Red Sea port of Eilat following intelligence that militant groups in the Egyptian Sinai were planning to launch rocket attacks from the region.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday signed a new law that significantly expands security cooperation with Israel, which includes a 70-million-U.S. dollar aid package for the Iron Dome project.