Tel Aviv: The continued tensions in the Middle East have spurred the enhanced production of US made air defence systems.
Lockheed Martin signed a framework agreement with the Department of War (DoW) to quadruple the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptors, from 96 to 400 interceptors per year. This announcement builds on the first-of-its-kind agreement signed between the parties earlier this month to accelerate production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors.
Also in support of its production ramp activities, Lockheed Martin will build a new Munitions Acceleration Centre in Camden, Ark. This world-class facility will prepare the workforce of the future to build THAAD, PAC-3 and other capabilities using advanced manufacturing, robotics and digital technologies.
According to a report in the Business Insider, the US military fired $500 million worth of top interceptor missiles to defend Israel against attacks by Iran and other regional foes.
The recently released budget documents offer new insight into the extent of the US military defence of Israel and also the weapons that American forces used during their extensive bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities last June.
One document requests $498.265 million in funding to replace the US Army’s THAAD missile interceptors that were “expended in support of Israel.”
“This is a congressional special interest item. This is an emergency budget requirement,” the document explains. US lawmakers have to sign off on any funding changes.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
