The Israeli Air Force is going to abandon the use of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. These systems are recognised as obsolete, The Times of Israel reported.
According to the published material, the decision to update the military infrastructure was taken amid growing tensions in the Middle East region, including recent missile attacks from Iran. According to the newspaper, the change of the defence system is linked to the need to adapt to new threats and improve the effectiveness of missile defence.
Israel Defence Forces officials said it was a matter of mothballing several systems, their exact number was not given. Instead of them, the Iron Dome systems, each battery of which is capable of defending an area of 1,500 square kilometres, will be put on combat duty. The Patriot systems will be finally deactivated in Israel within two months, the publication said.
“We realised that we needed to move forward and improve our defence methods. Innovations in the air defence system allow for better operational and maintenance services,” The Times of Israel quoted a comment by the commander of the 138th Battalion of the air defence system as saying.
According to the newspaper, up to ten Patriot batteries, each with up to four launchers, could be eliminated from Israel’s armed forces. Where exactly these systems will be redirected, it is not yet known, but it is possible transfer of de-armed equipment to Kiev, summarised the publication.
Earlier, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that the Israeli army had used white phosphorous munitions banned by international conventions in strikes on facilities in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.