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An Iranian long-range Shihab-3 ballistic missile. (AP)
Last update - 10:22 17/08/2008
U.S., Israel seal deal for missile radar defense system
By Amos Harel
Tags: Israel, Iran, U.S., radar

The United States and Israel have agreed on the deployment of high-powered, early-warning missile radars in the Negev desert, to be manned by U.S. military personnel.

The radars, known as X-Band, will be linked to a U.S. satellite-based alert network.

A spokesman for the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said the new system could double or even triple the missiles' range of identification, which would be particularly useful should Iran launch an attack on Israel.
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Details of the deal, which caught the public's attention at the end of July, were reported yesterday in the periodical Defense News, and were corroborated by senior U.S. and Israeli officials.

The agreement had previously been discussed in meetings with Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and his American counterpart, Admiral Mike Mullen, and by civilian defense leaders of both countries.

According to the periodical, the radar will be operated by staff from the U.S. European Command, starting in early 2009.

The system's deployment may even be moved up to this autumn, in order to integrate it with the Arrow missile defense system.

Under the terms of the agreement, U.S. military staff will be permanently based in Israel for the first time. U.S. Army personnel were temporarily based in the country during the first Gulf War in 1991, and during brief periods of tension with Iraq following that conflict.

Lt. Gen. Henry Obering, the head of MDA, told Defense News that from his perspective, "We're moving ahead as quickly as we can."

The IDF's current early-warning system, known as Green Pine and a component of the Arrow network, has a range of 800-900 kilometers. When combined with the American satellite system, its range expands to 2000 kilometers.

"We've been studying architectures to provide an integrated layered defense that will plug into various architectures for the region for many years," he said. "And having an X-Band radar, like the one we have in Japan, has always been part of our calculation."

An Israeli security expert said the significance of the deal lies primarily in its linking Israel with the U.S. satellite system, which will add "precious minutes" to its early warning ability.

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      1.   That should remove any doubt 06:21  |  Realist 17/08/08
      2.   Missile deal 06:51  |  Iamashamed 17/08/08
      3.   thank G-D 07:11  |  jj 17/08/08
      4.   Whole world in danger with missiles in Poland 07:15  |  John Isenhower 17/08/08
      5.   Mr. Isenhower must be young or have a bad memory 08:15  |  Voice of Reason 17/08/08
      6.   Some put their trust in princes 08:56  |  Rowan 17/08/08
      7.   The best news in a long time! Finally a defense! 08:57  |  S 17/08/08
      8.   US., Israel seal deal for missile defence systems 09:39  |  martin list, m.d. 17/08/08
      9.   An unlikely hypothetical 10:00  |  Natallie Durson 17/08/08
      10.   excellent news, thank you USA 10:26  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/08/08
      11.   #9, Durson 10:29  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/08/08
      12.   The other nations do not need missiles 10:49  |  anonymous 17/08/08
      13.   N°1 Realist 11:04  |  Septimus 17/08/08
      14.   IF ISRAEL ATTACK IRAN 11:09  |  indrajaya 17/08/08
      15.   14 Indrajaya 11:19  |  Septimus 17/08/08
      16.   # 15, SEPTIMUS 11:24  |  indrajaya 17/08/08
      17.   16 Indrajaya 11:50  |  Septimus 17/08/08
      18.   # 11 - Kohn 11:50  |  Natallie Durson 17/08/08
      19.   US does not depend on this radar system for its own self-defense 11:54  |  Dr. L. Brnd 17/08/08
      20.   peace through strength is the only way for the free world 13:18  |  David 17/08/08
      21.   Foolish people saying foolish things 13:25  |  David 17/08/08
      22.   Israel needs to continue developing independent capability 13:46  |  dyinglikeflies 17/08/08
      23.   History lesson for David Nº21 14:51  |  Neutered Observer 17/08/08
      24.   Nice deal 14:53  |  Conroy 17/08/08
      25.   Is Fallout dangerous? 15:16  |  H 17/08/08
      26.   You are wrong Russia has never accept the lost of its power!!! 15:20  |  kelo 17/08/08
      27.   False hope! Patriot all over again? 15:28  |  Manny Goldstein 17/08/08
      28.   #27: Goldstein. You refer 1992. Now is 2008.There were successful 16:11  |  Vittorio 17/08/08
      29.   Missile Deal 16:15  |  D. Spier 17/08/08
      30.   61 years young, thanks. Cold War memories. 16:25  |  John Isenhower 17/08/08
      31.   @2MAYBE BRITAIN should disarm so next time Iran attacks you 16:29  |  PETER SM 17/08/08
      32.   #28 Vittorio - ABM that work? 16:50  |  manny Goldstein 17/08/08
      33.   radar, I am proud. 18:06  |  michail 17/08/08
      34.   Now the Iranians freaks has something to worry about 18:08  |  JP 17/08/08
      35.   Misunderstanding ?! 18:30  |  Sobieski 17/08/08
      36.   Further proof Israel prepares for showdown 18:50  |  Jonathan S 17/08/08
      37.   On what basis! 19:38  |  Paul 17/08/08
      38.   Damn! 19:41  |  Paul 17/08/08
      39.   The best security is peace 19:44  |  tad chase 17/08/08
      40.   #2 Iamashamed...on missile defense 20:30  |  Lynn 17/08/08
      41.   #2 Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21:30  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      42.   What happened to Israel? 21:35  |  Rusty Shackleford 17/08/08
      43.   #6 Rowan in England 21:36  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      44.   #9 Hello natalie 21:41  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      45.   #20 David, you are right on but.............. 21:44  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      46.   The great ABM game and Manny Goldstein 21:47  |  Voice of Reason 17/08/08
      47.   #22 dylikeflys. 21:49  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      48.   #27 manny 21:56  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      49.   More American Lives For Israeli Greed & Violence 21:59  |  Gray 17/08/08
      50.   #22 dyinglike flys 21:59  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      51.   #23 "ball-less" 22:04  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      52.   #30 John, thanks for your service but..... 22:09  |  John Allen 17/08/08
      53.   #5 Voice of R.; Selective "Appeasememt 22:11  |  Gray 17/08/08
      54.   USA, You have been sucked in again(Dr.Brnd) 23:10  |  Dennis, MIV 17/08/08
      55.   43 Gray is using up MY MONEY staying at the VA Hospital 23:18  |  The Equalizer 17/08/08
      56.   To John Isenhower 23:32  |  Uri 17/08/08
      57.   #55 "Equalized" Nice try ... 00:20  |  Gray 18/08/08
      58.   #50, J. Allen- Tell that to the haters 01:01  |  dyinglikeflies 18/08/08
      59.   No chance of any attack on Iran 01:06  |  Realist 18/08/08
      60.   Gray - Just how many American`s have died? 02:28  |  * BEN JABO 18/08/08
      61.   #10 CJK Excellent News At Last...First it was off,and Now 02:34  |  anonymous 18/08/08
      62.   Israel is only showing its weakness 03:31  |  Yael 18/08/08
      63.   something you ALL forget 03:58  |  VIPER 18/08/08
      64.   #58 dyinglikeflies; Right, We`re Swimming in Shekels 03:59  |  Gray 18/08/08
      65.   This was mentioned a few weeks ago in Haaretz 05:45  |  Johnboy 18/08/08
      66.   US Troops in Israel 06:23  |  US CITIZEN 18/08/08
      67.   Psalm 83 & Ezekial 38-39 06:23  |  Scott 18/08/08
      68.   Uri dear friend 06:28  |  John Isenhower 18/08/08
      69.   John, thanks for the thanks: Leadership 06:38  |  John Isenhower 18/08/08
      70.   Turkey is willing to play a major role in Mideast Peace 06:45  |  John Isenhower 18/08/08
      71.   So, while we`re shorthanded with IRaq and Afghan..