According to a U.S. Defense Department official, the Pentagon intends to supply Israel with two Iron Dome missile defense systems to support the country in its ongoing conflict with the militant group Hamas.

This transfer is aimed at enhancing Israel’s air defense capabilities, particularly in response to a significant, coordinated attack by Hamas on October 7, which marked one of the deadliest days for Israel in the last 50 years.

Since then, approximately 1,400 Israelis have lost their lives, and Hamas continues to launch rockets from the Gaza Strip, Defense News reported.

The U.S. Army acquired these two Iron Dome systems, which were manufactured by the Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and co-developed by RTX, several years ago at the request of Congress.

The purchase was intended to address a gap in cruise missile defense while the Army worked on a more long-term solution for various air and missile threats.

However, the Army does not plan to procure additional Iron Dome systems or integrate the system into its broader air defense framework, as confirmed by Army officials speaking to Defense News.

Notably, the two Iron Dome systems have had limited use, with Army personnel training with them at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Written by staff