The US Navy will deploy one of its Aegis-class air defence ships near Israel's shoreline to enhance the country's capability to detect and destroy any missile strike launched by Iraq.
Israeli defence sources assess that if Iraq decides to launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel as a response to any US strike against Saddam Hussein's regime, it will use a salvo of Scud missiles.
Israeli-populated areas are protected by two Israel Aircraft Industries Arrow anti-tactical ballistic missile systems. The Israeli air force says the USN will deploy Aegis ships to improve multiple launch capability. The air force has deployed two Arrow systems and is training crews. It has also deployed some of its Patriot PAC-2 systems.
Source: Flight International