Israel Matzav

You can tell that these people don't live in Sderot

The Israeli Defenseless Ministry has announced that it wants to find a 'quick solution' to Kassam rockets - it wants an anti-missile defense system in place by mid-2008.

The Defense Ministry has determined a requirement for the development and procurement of a rocket defense system by mid-2008.

Officials said a ministry panel led by director-general Gabi Ashkenazi has set a requirement that any defense system against short- and medium-range rockets and missiles must be available within two years. They said the system should cost no more than $300 million for initial deployment.

"We will have a defense system against the Kassams within 18 months, maximum two years," Defense Minister Amir Peretz said.

Officials said the requirements would rule out a U.S.-origin laser weapon designed to destroy incoming missiles and rockets, such as the Palestinian Kassam and the Hizbullah-acquired Katyusha. They said the Skyguard laser system developed by Northrop Grumman required at least $150 million in development costs.

A number of comments. First, 'within two years' is not 'mid-2008.' We're in December now! Second, while I suppose that 'at least $150 million in development costs' could mean that it costs more than $300 million, does it? Third, why is the IDF rejecting the one system that is close to market that could work in favor of re-inventing the wheel? (Any military contractors out there who could explain this?).

And finally, have any of your children ever gotten lice? Mine have.... You can spray and spray and shampoo until your kid absorbs a ton of poison, but the bottom line is that the only way to get them out and keep them from coming back is to comb and comb and comb. The only way to really get rid of the Kassams is for the IDF to be back everywhere from which the Kassams could be shot. Now. Nothing else is as effective.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:21 AM