DONALD Trump has ordered the US to build its own version of the Iron Dome missile defence system used by Israel to shoot down thousands of rockets.
The President fulfilled his commitment by taking action on Monday and signing a significant executive order to address potential dangers from China, Russia, and Iran.
This comes as part of Trump’s huge plans to radically reform the US military in the face of growing global threats against his nation.
Shortly after beginning his second term, the commander-in-chief wasted no time and instructed the defense secretary to present a detailed plan for executing the system within a 60-day timeframe.
Trump told Republican congresspeople about the “next-generation missile defence shield” at a retreat in Miami.
“It is crucial that we initiate the development of an advanced Iron Dome missile defense system promptly to safeguard the American populace,” stated Trump.
“We have phenomenal technology.”
The President added that the system would be built in the US.
Trump has long been a fan of Israel’s unique defence network, which uses radars to detect incoming rockets.
The Iron Dome calculates which missiles are likely to hit people and will shoot those down, while it leaves non-threatening ones to drop.
“They knock down just about every one of them. So I think the United States is entitled to that,” Trump said at the Miami retreat.
Israel’s system would not be fit for the US as it is designed to protect the nation from short-range missiles launched by Hamas and Hezbollah.
America’s enemies sit much farther away so this new system must be a “next-generation” design to protect the US from intercontinental missiles and threats from China, Russia, and Iran.
Monday’s executive order, citing unnamed advisers, said: “Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex.”
The US already has several missiles defence systems in place, including the Aegis system, used on it’s warships, and the Terminal High Altitude Air Defence.
Trump’s order comes as The Pentagon reportedly warns the US has fallen behind it’s enemies Russia and China on missile development, according to The Times.
Russia showed off it’s terrifying progress when it fired the Oreshnik missile into Ukraine last year, dodging the countries defence systems.
MILITARY OVERHAUL
Trump signed several executive orders reforming the US Army on Monday.
His new Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Trump’s executive orders were just beginning.
“On removing DEI inside the Pentagon, reinstating troops who were pushed out because of COVID mandates, Iron Dome for America,” he said.
What is the Iron Dome?
THE Iron Dome is a mobile, all-weather air defence system in Israel.
It intercepts rockets that are travelling in the direction of a urban areas and brings them down – it is the first system of its kind in the world.
Developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, if can be operated in all weather conditions including fog, dust storm, low clouds and rain.
The system was ready for use in March 2011 and in April it had successfully intercepted a BM-21 Grad launched from Gaza for the first time.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the Iron Dome had shot down 90 per cent of rockets launched from Gaza that would have landed in populated areas.
It is now being used to fend off Iranian and Hezbollah strikes.
It is part of a future multi-tiered missile defence system being developed by Israel, but each interception rocket launch costs $50,000.
The dome is made up of missile batteries which are shaped like giant match boxes and are tilted in the direction of Gaza.
It can detect a target using radar and monitors its trajectory.
A control centre then calculates an interception point and then commands a rocket to launch if the foreign missile is heading towards an urban area.
Once in contact with the missile, the rocket explodes and brings it down.
Each launcher contains 20 Tamir Missiles with proximity war heads and there are several batteries positioned around the country.
Since being implemented in 2011 the computer systems have been updated, improved and upgrades to improve the accuracy of the rockets.
“This is happening quickly.”
The Pentagon chief was confirmed on Friday after three Republican senators went against their party to vote against him following allegations of sexual abuse and drinking on the job.
He said on Monday it’s the “honor of his lifetime” to lead the department.
“Our job is lethality and readiness and war fighting,” Hegseth said.
“We will be no better friend to our allies and no stronger adversary to those who want to test us.”
