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Last update - 00:55 29/09/2008
U.S. deploys radar system at Israel base to detect Iran missiles
By Aluf Benn and Amos Harel
Tags: Iran, Israel News, U.S.

The U.S. Army's European Command deployed an early-warning radar system in Israel last week along with a 120-member support team, the weekly Defense News reported.

The move marks the first permanent presence in Israel of American military personnel. The high-powered radar system is meant to augment Israel's defenses against Iranian ground-to-ground missiles.

According to Defense News, more than a dozen transport aircraft delivered the radar, its ancillary systems, equipment and technicians, as well as maintenance and security specialists to the Nevatim Air Force Base in the Negev. It has not yet been made operational.
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The same system has been deployed for the past two years in Japan against possible missile launches from North Korea. The agreement to provide Israel with the system a few months ago was finalized during the visit by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi in Washington in July.

The new radar will give Israel added minutes to respond to a missile launch, compared with the systems it currently uses. Assisted by data sent from American satellites, the system can detect Iranian missiles shortly after they are launched.

A link with the Arrow missile system makes it possible to launch a defensive missile, and increases the chance of intercepting the incoming missile while giving the home front more time to respond.

The deployment of the radar system may be understood in two contradictory ways. One is that it prevents Israel from taking independent action against Iran, which the United States has made clear in recent months it opposes. The radar system, and Americans stationed here, will restrain Israel, which would be wary about launching an attack that would endanger U.S. personnel.

On the other hand, the deployment of the radar system strengthens Israel's defense against missiles if Israel and/or the United States attacks Iran's nuclear facilities. The defense system could reduce casualties and damage to the home front from a response by Iran and its allies.

This would give decision-makers more freedom to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Defense officials said they had made arrangements to receive the equipment and personnel in "record time" - two months from the July talks.

In recent weeks, Israeli sources have tried to play down the presence of an American force on Israeli soil and have portrayed it as temporary until operation of the system is transferred to the Israelis.

In any case, information from early-warning satellites, which greatly increases the radar's ability to pinpoint launches, will remain in American hands. The satellite ground station will be in Europe and transmit data to Israel.

The deployment of the radar system in Israel was an initiative by Republican Congressman Mark Kirk of Chicago, who, looking for a way to help Israel, persuaded the governments of both countries to implement the plan.

Israeli defense officials at first objected to the move, citing a possible limitation to the country's freedom of action. But they acquiesced when it was decided that the system would be supported by data from the U.S. early-warning satellite.

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      1.   But the Iranians don`t have one! 04:23  |  Murray of Montreal 28/09/08
      2.   The paper tiger will not attack Israel 04:28  |  e.m Jordan is Palse 28/09/08
      3.   interesting 04:52  |  vik 28/09/08
      4.   Israel, USA`s 53rd STATE 05:06  |  John 28/09/08
      5.   Too little, too late 06:03  |  Shimon Cleopas 28/09/08
      6.   Haaretz.com Fan 06:08  |  Jew 28/09/08
      7.   Ignorant John - Is Japan the 54th state? 06:41  |  Gina 28/09/08
      8.   John: Canada, USA`s 53rd STATE 07:39  |  EVH 28/09/08
      9.   It also doubles as an aircraft control tower 08:06  |  Ken 28/09/08
      10.   John, The 53rd 08:12  |  Fish 28/09/08
      11.   US radar in Israel 08:13  |  Robert 28/09/08
      12.   I want to immigrate to Iran 08:20  |  Rina 28/09/08
      13.   BARAK THE WORST DM in Israel history!!!!! 08:39  |  Ben Yeppi 28/09/08
      14.   outsourcing our defense....this is what happens with Avodah DM!!! 08:43  |  Jeremy 28/09/08
      15.   Frankly, I`m not too excited about U.S. army personnel in Israel 09:54  |  Tom 28/09/08
      16.   They`re to spy on Israel and prevent it from independent actions 10:14  |  Absolute Sweden 28/09/08
      17.   the israel reply if Iran launch a dirty bomb against Israel 10:15  |  lezen 28/09/08
      18.   US Deploys radar system in Israel 12:02  |  Millicent 28/09/08
      19.   john Toronto 12:55  |  J. B. 28/09/08
      20.   What we really need 13:53  |  Tzfonit 28/09/08
      21.   Obviously it will be nice to have a warning 14:44  |  Chris Linthwaite 28/09/08
      22.   John # 4 What Happened To The Other Two? 15:10  |  Jeff Northridge 28/09/08
      23.   Radar System 15:20  |  Brod 28/09/08
      24.   Fish, Just for that Canada won`t bail out the US 15:20  |  Murray of Montreal 28/09/08
      25.   Reply #17 Lezen 15:40  |  Craig 28/09/08
      26.   Reply #1 Murray 16:02  |  Craig 28/09/08
      27.   Ben Yeppi # 13 Not All 120 Are U.S. Troops 16:13  |  Jeff Northridge 28/09/08
      28.   This is a disaster for Israel! 16:13  |  Baruch 28/09/08
      29.   This I find indigestible 16:34  |  Bitin Dawg 28/09/08
      30.   More American Boots on the Ground in Israel 16:37  |  Fred Morrison 28/09/08
      31.   US deploys radar 17:29  |  Benjamin 28/09/08
      32.   iran 18:08  |  Thomas yearsley 28/09/08
      33.   WIN/WIN 18:37  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 28/09/08
      34.   Reply #28 DOC HOLLIDAY 19:09  |  Craig 28/09/08
      35.   U.S. deploys radar system at Israel base . 19:15  |  Hirotomi Takemitsu 28/09/08
      36.   Tell me the truth please, Thomas Yearsley 19:17  |  Tzfonit 28/09/08
      37.   doc holliday 32 19:20  |  potobac 28/09/08
      38.   That radar is a parallel! 19:27  |  Rigma 28/09/08
      39.   Key words from the future! 19:31  |  Rigma 28/09/08
      40.   #27 Jeff....Thanks 20:17  |  Ben Yeppi 28/09/08
      41.   #3 John , Israel not only the 53 state 20:24  |  TOMY 28/09/08
      42.   #38; Craig, Israel contributions to the world are amazing 20:44  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 28/09/08
      43.   #37:potobac, Really, how come the Arrow system didn`t work? 20:46  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 28/09/08
      44.   Will it be enough? 20:58  |  Mike 28/09/08
      45.   The Americans are afraid 21:36  |  Yonatan 28/09/08
      46.   Appeasing Aggression 21:48  |  Gray 28/09/08
      47.   Yet another reason 22:01  |  Persian Hero 28/09/08
      48.   Ben Yeppi # 40 No Man Is An Island 22:12  |  Jeff Northridge 28/09/08
      49.   A parallel to it! 22:20  |  Rigma 28/09/08
      50.   Its time for JEWS to leave back to their countries 22:24  |  US person 28/09/08
      51.   US protects its own settlers 22:32  |  Chanalau, Tova 28/09/08
      52.   Craig: About U.S. Aid for Israel: 3 Trillion + 22:33  |  Gray 28/09/08
      53.   #3.You got most of it right..BUT...The IRANIAN MISSLES... 22:54  |  ali 28/09/08
      54.   good, constructive measure 23:02  |  frenz 28/09/08
      55.   # To 50 (US person) 23:03  |  Sirius 28/09/08
      56.   no 50 23:08  |  Aron 28/09/08
      57.   Democracy 23:27  |  Ralph Levy 28/09/08
      58.   When will Israel become responsible for its own mess? 23:30  |  American in NY 28/09/08
      59.   this will not be effective against Hezbola`s short range rockets 23:39  |  Joey 28/09/08
      60.   A pal in deed is one that provides pal in need offensive weapons 23:59  |  gas not gas masks 28/09/08
      61.   So, finally, Israel becomes a target. 00:16  |  Stephen. 29/09/08
      62.   To: "gas.." Author of #60 00:29  |  Gray 29/09/08
      63.   Joey, NAPALM and 2000LB dumb bombs will be extremely effective 00:30  |  Dan 29/09/08
      64.