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U.S. Cuts Arrow 3 Funding

(Globes-Israel) Ran Dagoni - Ostensibly, U.S. aid for Israeli missile defense programs in fiscal year 2011 ought to please Israel as various anti-missile programs will get record funding of $423 million, more than double the figure for 2010. However, the jump in U.S. funding comes from a one-time $205 million grant for the procurement of ten Iron Dome batteries for defense against short-range missiles. Financing for the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile program, intended as the main defense system against Iranian long-range missiles, was cut by $50 million compared with the current fiscal year. The Obama administration asked for $50.8 million for the program for fiscal year 2011. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense added another $58 million, bringing the total to $108.8 million, subject to final approval by Congress. In contrast, the Arrow 3 program received $157.4 million in the 2010 fiscal year. U.S. funding for the David's Sling system against medium-range missiles was cut from $134.7 million in 2010 to $84.7 million in 2011. A source in Washington said, "I advise not to lose proportion. We mustn't forget that Israel gets $2.2 billion a year in U.S. military aid." An Israeli source noted, "The cut in U.S. aid for the Arrow 3 won't affect the plan in any case. The Israeli government will inject all the money necessary into the program."
2010-08-04 08:17:15
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