US Marines to Acquire 3 Iron Dome Batteries and 2,000 Interceptor Missiles
The US Marine Corps plans to acquire three batteries of Israel's Iron Dome air defense system, along with nearly 2,000 interceptor missiles, in a deal expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The deal will be signed with Raytheon, a partner of Iron Dome's manufacturer, Rafael. The Marine Corps has successfully tested the system, known as the Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC), and plans to procure three MRIC batteries, 1,840 Tamir interceptor missiles, 44 launchers, and 11 US-made command centers. The Iron Dome, originally designed to intercept rockets, has been upgraded to shoot down mortar shells, drones, and cruise missiles. Israel has previously sold two Iron Dome batteries to the US, and the system is being integrated into the US Army's air defense array.