In Arkansas, the first fully US-manufactured Tamir interceptor missile has been handed over to Israel. This marks the first time that production of the key interceptor missile for Iron Dome has begun outside Israel. The effort is part of a joint production program between Rafael and Raytheon US-Israeli cooperation on missile defense.
The handover took place at the Raytheon-Rafael Area Protection Systems (R2S) facility in East Camden, Arkansas. The first Tamir interceptor missile was manufactured and fully assembled there.
The facility was specifically built to produce Tamir missiles for Iron Dome. It is therefore the first production site outside Israel where complete Tamir interceptors are manufactured.
R2S is a joint venture between Rafael and Raytheon. The new production capacity is part of an agreement to expand manufacturing in the United States and is intended to deepen industrial cooperation between the two countries in the field of missile defense.
Iron Dome with More Than 10,000 Interceptions
Tamir is the interceptor missile used by Israel’s Iron Dome air and missile defense system. The missile was developed under the leadership of the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), with Rafael serving as the prime contractor.
According to the companies involved, Iron Dome has recorded more than 10,000 operational interceptions over 15 years of service. The system has been used against a variety of threats and forms part of Israel’s multilayered air and missile defense architecture.
Production of Tamir in the United States is intended to create additional manufacturing capacity. Rafael and Raytheon have already been working together on the production of the interceptor for more than ten years. The cooperation is based, among other things, on industrial participation requirements associated with US support for Iron Dome.
Joint Production in Israel and the United States
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is the IMDO’s partner in the joint US-Israeli missile defense program. Within Israel’s Ministry of Defense, the IMDO is part of the Directorate of Research and Development and is responsible for the architecture of Israel’s air and missile defense systems.
Its responsibilities also include the development and joint production of David’s Sling and Arrow, as well as the joint production of Iron Dome with the MDA and the defense companies involved in Israel and the United States.
With the new Tamir production facility in Arkansas, this division of labor is now being expanded to another manufacturing site. According to IMDO Director Moshe Patel, this is intended to strengthen the joint production capabilities of both countries and accelerate the manufacturing of missile defense systems.
Also Relevant to US Systems
US production is not relevant exclusively to Israel. During the handover, Rafael Vice President and Head of the Air and Missile Defense Division Shlomo Toaff pointed out that the additional production source would also be relevant to customers relying on Tamir.
For the US Marine Corps, the production is expected to be connected to SkyHunter, the US application of Tamir technology.
The new production line is also intended to strengthen the industrial base in the United States. According to the companies involved, the facility will create jobs and expand production capacity for joint US-Israeli missile defense programs.
Additional Tamir Production Capacity
With complete Tamir production now taking place in Arkansas, a production line outside Israel has been established for the first time. According to Shlomo Toaff, this also represents another step for Rafael in expanding its activities in the United States.
The expansion of production capacity therefore reflects the growing importance of Iron Dome and the Tamir interceptor within Israel’s missile defense architecture. Alongside existing production in Israel, a second source for complete Tamir interceptors will now be available in the United States.
Author: Arie Egozi, Israel Correspondent
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