Israel rethinks, will test Phalanx anti-rocket system

In a reversal of its previous decision, the Defense Ministry has decided to bring the Phalanx air defense system to Israel in order to examine whether it can be used to counter Qassam rocket and mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Director General Pinhas Buchris made the decision despite opposition from several senior ministry officials, according to a number of sources. Haaretz has learned that several weeks ago, Buchris contacted the relevant authorities in the United States and requested one Phalanx system so that its performance could be tested in Israel. The U.S. approved the request.

However, it is not clear when the system is due to arrive in Israel.

In early March, a delegation of Defense Ministry officials and Air Force officers visited the U.S. and evaluated the Phalanx system at the White Sands testing grounds in New Mexico. The delegation concluded that the Phalanx could provide at least a partial answer to the threat posed by Qassam rockets and mortars fired from Gaza.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/985404.html