Israel Considers Extending Lease on Iron Dome Air Defense Batteries from US Army

Israel may purchase the two Iron Dome air defense batteries currently leased from the US Army when the lease expires next year. The US is sending the batteries to Israel to support its fight against Hamas, which has launched a significant and deadly attack. The US Army bought the Iron Dome systems several years ago to fill a gap in cruise missile defense, but does not plan to purchase more or integrate the system into its own air defense architecture. The batteries have seen limited use, with one deployed to Guam for a two-week exercise.