Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., January 26, 2008 Shvat 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 17:36 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

PM Ehud Olmert visiting Rafael on Tuesday. (GPO) Last update - 23:14 22/01/2008 Israel unveils plans for missile to counter Hezbollah missiles By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service Tags: Rafael, Fajr, Hezbollah  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel's arms development firm, unveiled plans for a new missile system Tuesday designed to intercept mid to long-range rockets and missiles of the kind used by Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War. The firm introduced the "Stunner" missile during a visit from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister's Office said. Jointly developed by Rafael and the U.S. defense contractor Raytheon as a counter to medium-range missiles and rockets, Stunner is likely to become operational in four years. It will be incorporated into the new Magic Wand anti-missile system. Advertisement Because of the advanced technologies involved, the estimated cost of each individual missile is the relatively high sum of several hundred thousand dollars. A defense source said Tuesday that the missile is meant to serve as the interceptor element of a defensive system called Magic Wand. The system is meant to provide a defense against missiles and rockets whose range is between 40 and 250 kilometers, like Hezbollah's Zilzal and Fajr missiles. The first layer of this defensive structure will include Iron Dome, which Rafael is developing against Qassam and Katyusha rockets. That system's intercepting missile is dubbed Tamir. Magic Wand and Iron Dome will complement the Arrow missile defense system, which intercepts long-range missiles and is already operational. During Tuesday's visit to the Rafael headquarters, Olmert reviewed the development of various systems. Last year, the government approved plans to push forward with upgrading Israel's anti-missile capabilities. Related articles: ANALYSIS: New Israeli spy satellite sends Iran a message Missile test / Launched from Palmachim, heard in Tehran Cabinet approves budget for missile defense system Bookmark to del.icio.us   Slam the Qassam The U.S. wants the UN Security Council to denounce Qassam rockets for the first time. Remembrance day German Chancellor Merkel hails the return of Jewish life to Germany after the Holocaust.   1.   Now all we need is a leader capable of wielding this weapon... 21:32  |  bat yam 22/01/08   2.   How much will they be a pop? 21:33  |  Paul Wood 22/01/08   3.   well ok now we need a test 21:53  |  tech firm 22/01/08   4.   missile designed to intercept hezbollah rockets 22:03  |  Bruce 22/01/08   5.   Paul "Thicvk as two short planks of" Wood 22:13  |  Nik Miller 22/01/08   6.   # 2 Paul Wood, You are capable to think constructively 22:16  |  Max Zinger P.Chimist 22/01/08   7.   Paul Wood #2 22:47  |  Bill H. 22/01/08   8.   gaza missles 22:49  |  adam cohen 22/01/08   9.   " Meanwhile back in Fiddlersville, Persia" 22:57  |  Stephen. 22/01/08   10.   HAMAS AND GAZA 00:28  |  Bruce 23/01/08   11.   P WOOD How much? none of your business!Eurotaxpayers support Pals 01:26  |  PETER SM 23/01/08   12.   What? No concrete walls? 02:01  |  Jim 23/01/08   13.   I can explain 02:02  |  pal 23/01/08   14.   #1 bat yam 02:07  |  Jim 23/01/08   15.   Bill H 02:23  |  schafe82 23/01/08   16.   #2 Right on, Paul Wood! 02:32  |  Jim 23/01/08   17.   PWOOD WORRY about your own safety.Here is British Islamist debate 02:35  |  PETER SM 23/01/08   18.   Magic Wand? 03:46  |  Mark Lincoln 23/01/08   19.   #6 Max Zinger P.Chimist 04:01  |  Jim 23/01/08   20.   Israel needs to develop a `Boomerang` system 04:10  |  Nechama 23/01/08   21.   in the meantime 04:18  |  sWeis Melbourne 23/01/08   22.   #8 adam cohen wants an explanation 04:29  |  Jim 23/01/08   23.   #13 I can explain 04:46  |  Boris 23/01/08   24.   Paul, Americans Pay Who Care? 05:19  |  Sam 23/01/08   25.   missiles 05:55  |  P. J. Casey 23/01/08   26.   #2 Paul Wood, not much chance of Iranian funding drying up 07:12  |  Conroy 23/01/08   27.   pal-atrocities 07:19  |  Mark T 23/01/08   28.   if they could, they`ve would long time ago 07:29  |  Mohammad 23/01/08   29.   FOUR years??? 07:34  |  Webster 23/01/08   30.   Israel Invents Bycicle To Shoot Kassams 09:01  |  Isaac 23/01/08   31.   #17 They already have a boomerang system, Nechama 09:10  |  Johnboy 23/01/08   32.   Do not intercept but.... 09:34  |  Chow Koi 23/01/08   33.   A Million dollar interceptor for a 1 Dollar Qassam. 20:34  |  archmangle 23/01/08

Today Online Egypt police block Gaza motorists from entering Sinai Responses: 554 Militants who raided yeshiva were recently released criminals Responses: 235 Editorial: The siege of Gaza has failed Responses: 253 U.S. pushes UN to condemn Qassam rocket fire for first time Responses: 278 Richard Silverstein: Seeking liberal Jewish bloggers Responses: 96 Rosner's Domain McCain using support for Israel to court Jews - and Christians Ambassador vs. Ambassador: Is Obama good for Israel? Huckabee: WMD from Iraq is in Jordan (WTR) Poll: How important is Israel in the 2008 election? Factor: Clinton and McCain, head to head More Headlines 15:43 Dozens of Egyptian police, guards hurt in Gaza clashes 17:04 Abbas: No talks with Hamas despite Gaza border chaos 17:03 Palestinian stabs Border Policeman in north Jerusalem attack 17:03 Israeli duo of Ram, Erlich win Australian Open doubles title 17:01 In remembrance of Holocaust, UN chief Ban says 'never again' 13:04 Abbas to press Olmert on lifting Gaza blockade, control of crossings 14:09 Report: Barak says Iran nuke program more advanced than thought 09:16 Libya withholds support for UN draft condemning Qassam fire 13:11 Tensions mount as Lebanese mourn slain intelligence officer Previous Editions Select Day 25 jan 24 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Teach & Study Program make a difference in Israel FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations SUPER-TUESDAY U.S. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY U.S. citizen in Israel vote Democrats-Abroad Global Primary online, in-person. Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved