An executive order was signed by US President Donald Trump on Monday to begin the development of an “Iron Dome” air defense system for the US, similar to the one Israel has deployed to intercept thousands of rockets.
The “next-generation missile defense shield” is intended to protect against ballistic, hypersonic, and sophisticated cruise missiles, such as by developing space-based interceptors.
Trump directed the defense secretary to provide an implementation plan for the shield within 60 days. Trump made several promises during the 2024 election campaign to construct an American version of Israel’s Iron Dome system.
He disregarded the system’s short-range threat design, which makes it unsuitable for guarding against intercontinental missiles, which pose the biggest threat to the United States.
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Citing the development of missile launch capabilities by unidentified rivals, Monday’s executive order stated that “over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex.”
Trump had previously stated during a Republican congressional retreat in Miami that the system would be constructed in the US .
Israel utilised its “Iron Dome” system to shoot down rockets fired by its regional enemies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza during the conflict that was triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
At the conference in Miami, Trump declared, “They knock down just about every one of them,” “So, I think the United States is entitled to that.”
On Monday, the president signed a number of other military-related directives, one of which paved the way for the exclusion of transgender individuals from the military.
Gentle Reminder: Be careful how you use your authority and influence, be wise, and treat others with respect.
Chychy Jonas