Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington highlights the latest report urging the U.S. to incorporate Israeli air-defense technology into its missile defense strategy. The proposed ‘Golden Dome’ aims to detect and neutralize various missile threats including drones.
The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) report titled “The Missing Shield: Acquiring Israeli Air Defenses Makes Golden Dome Sustainable,” recommends prioritizing immediate defenses over long-term, space-based systems. Ari Cicurel, the report’s author, emphasized the need to address short-range threats like drones, citing recent drone activities over major U.S. cities as evidence of potential vulnerabilities.
The report highlights cost efficiencies in Israeli-designed systems. It notes that Israeli launchers, interceptors, and radars are considerably less expensive than their American counterparts. This cost-effectiveness could enable the Pentagon to procure more assets without detracting from strategic investments.
The Pentagon insists that Golden Dome aims to counter a comprehensive range of threats including hypersonic missiles. A Congressional Budget Office analysis estimated the plan could require a $1.2 trillion investment over two decades, though exact details from the Pentagon remain undisclosed.
JINSA proposes using Israeli systems like Iron Dome and David’s Sling to reinforce lower layers of defense. Cicurel underscores that development funds for these systems have already involved American investment. Over 100 U.S. companies currently contribute to their production.
The JINSA report also outlines potential industrial constraints and suggests enhancing cooperation and joint production between the U.S. and Israel. Proposed changes to export controls and technology-sharing rules aim to address interoperability challenges.
President Trump’s vision for Golden Dome as a significant homeland defense initiative underscores the importance of evolving discussions around including Israeli systems. Netanyahu’s visit could potentially advance the agenda within both governments.