Israel to upgrade its Patriot anti-missile defence system
27 Aug 2007
The Israeli air force is to buy an advanced version of the US-made Patriot missile that is capable of intercepting aircraft and long-range ballistic missiles. This is part of a planned upgrade of the country’s air defence system following the war with Hezbollah.
The advanced Patriot PAC-3 missiles will replace the PAC-2s currently in use. The PAC-3 is capable of intercepting every missile that Syria as well as the Hezbollah possess. Israel first deployed the Patriot system in 1991, when then Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein fired Scud missiles at the country during the first Gulf War.
The PAC-3’s manufacturer Lockheed Martin says the missile can intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. It weighs 320 kg and increases the firepower of a Patriot battery, as 16 of them fit on a Patriot launcher compared with only four PAC-2s.
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