Why it’s time for the US Army to divest Iron Dome
The Air Defense Artillery needs to be all that it can be. It can ill afford to maintain a single, unintegrated system as an Army of one, writes Tom Karako of CSIS.
By TOM KARAKO
on March 27, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Army executes Iron Dome Defense System
The US Army owns two Iron Dome batteries. (US Army)
For several years the US Army has been experimenting with Israel’s Iron Dome system. In the following op-ed, Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies argues that Iron Dome does not match the Army’s needs, and that it may be time to move on.
This week, senior US Army leaders are gathering in Huntsville, Alabama for the annual Global Force symposium, hosted by the Association of the US Army. They do so amid increased budget pressure on the service reflected in the fiscal 2024 budget request, challenges for their end strength outlook, and recruiting shortfalls.
One important topic of conversation should be whether Iron Dome still belongs in the Air Defense Artillery branch’s force structure, and if not, what to do with it. An objective review of the situation yields a straightforward conclusion: Iron Dome is a great capability, but not one that fits the US Army in this decisive decade. It is time to evaluate alternatives, including giving it to another country, transferring it within the US military, and sending it back to Israel.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/why-its-time-for-the-us-army-to-divest-iron-dome/
