The Defense Ministry oversaw the deployment of a third new Iron Dome anti-rocket system on Tuesday, bringing the total number of operational air defense batteries to ten.
The Ministry's Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure said the three new batteries will enable the protection of large areas on the country against rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.
The deployment came ahead of schedule after engineers from Rafael and technicians from Rafael, the chief contractor, as well as Elta, and mPrest Systems, the deputy contractors, worked around the clock to prepare the batteries. Israel Air Force staff, which operates the batteries, joined in the intensive effort, allowing for three new batteries to come off the production line during Israel's operation to end rocket fire from Gaza.
"This represents an outstanding technological achievement, which is enabled by cooperation between the Defense Ministry, Israel's defense industries, and the air force," the Ministry said in a statement.
Last week, two additional Iron Dome batteries were deployed across Israel "Your efforts, and those of your people in this operation is very impressive, and inspirational," Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon told defense corporation executives involved in the effort last week.
"In recent days, you and your people are working with dedication, day and night, to instantly set up more Iron Dome batteries, which will go into operation during [the current] Operation Protective Edge, and will defend the Israeli people," he said.
