Israeli Iron Dome missile system ready for deployment in Ukraine: US
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The United States says the Iron Dome missile system is ready to be deployed in Ukraine, putting the self-proclaimed top anti-missile system to its greatest test to date.
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The Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile system fires to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip toward the Israeli occupation, near 'Sderot', occupied Palestine, May 11, 2023 (AP)
One of the two US Iron Dome batteries is ready to be deployed to Ukraine, US Army Space and Missile Defense Commanding General Daniel Karbler told the US Senate, Israeli media reported Tuesday.
Reportedly, the statement was made last week during a session of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.
"We sent something like $3 billion to Israel to develop it… Wouldn’t this be a very important resource for the Ukrainians since their principal problem right now is missile defense?" Senator Angus King asked, inquiring why Ukraine was not receiving the Iron Dome.
The US currently has two Iron Dome batteries, Karbler said.
"One completed new equipment training, new equipment fielding. It is prepared for deployment. The other one is wrapping up its new equipment training right now. So the army does have one (Iron Dome battery) available for deployment if we get a request" from Ukraine, the US Army general said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb said the US was "not aware of an Iron Dome system being offered to Ukraine."
Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated in February that "Israel" would consider the possibility of supplying arms to Ukraine and thinking about the issue of providing Kiev with the Iron Dome anti-air system.
"The issue of arms supplies was considered and rejected by the previous Israeli government. I will study this issue and answer this matter in the most adequate manner," Netanyahu said in an interview for France’s LCI TV during his visit to France.
Asked whether "Israel" was considering providing Kiev with its Iron Dome anti-air system, Netanyahu said, "Yes, I’m thinking about it. That’s all I can say."
"I can’t make any promises. We have to see what options are available and also take into account" "Israel's" interests in the region, he added.
'Israel' helping Ukraine behind the scenes: Israeli envoy in Berlin
In late January, the Israeli occupation ambassador to Berlin, Ron Prosor, said that "Israel" is helping Ukraine, but behind the scenes, German media reported.
"We help - albeit behind the scenes - and much more than is known," Prosor said in an interview for the German newspaper Morgenpost.
Read next: 'Israel' donating weapons to Ukraine via third countries: Exclusive
However, a Russian intelligence source told Al Mayadeen in December that the Israeli occupation is donating money to buy Ukraine weapons from third countries.
The Russian source said "Tel Aviv" is using third countries to conceal its bias toward Ukraine, highlighting that several Israeli armored vehicles have been detected in Ukraine.
Haaretz also reported that "Israel" spent millions of dollars to appease its Western partners by procuring undisclosed strategic materials for Ukraine after "Tel Aviv" faced pressure to send arms to Kiev via a third country.
It is noteworthy that senior Russian Security Council member, Dmitry Medvedev, warned in October "Israel" against providing weapons to Ukraine, threatening that any move to boost Kiev's arsenal would severely damage bilateral relations.
Moreover, the possible supply of the Iron Dome to Ukraine comes after the Israeli occupation opted out for the more advanced David's Sling after the system proved to be inadequate during the latest round of Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Palestinian Resistance rockets hit the "Nahal Oz" Israeli military site after the rockets bypassed the Iron Dome, Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza reported on Friday.
Meanwhile, sources in the Palestinian Resistance told Al Mayadeen that there was a noticeable slowdown in the performance of the Iron Dome during the confrontation.
