Reps. Roskam, Meng formally request more than $600 million for cooperative US-Israel missile defense programs

A pair of U.S. House members recently called upon the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to continue its funding of key U.S.-Israel defense cooperation programs.

U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Grace Meng (D-NY) sent letters to both Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and Ranking Member VIsclosky (D-IN), requesting $600.8 million for cooperative defense programs. The amount represents the exact total that was appropriated in fiscal year 2017.

Early this week, U.S. and Israeli officials announced that the David’s Sling air and missile defense system has officially entered into service.

The House member’s letter specifically requested $92 million for the procurement of the Iron Dome Defense System, $101.5 million for research and development of the David’s Sling weapons system, $120 million for the procurement of the David’s Sling system, and $82.3 million for the Arrow System Improvement Program’s research and development.

The letter also requested $85 million for research and development of the Arrow-3 Weapons System, $120 million for the procurement of the Arrow-3 Weapons System, and full funding for the upcoming Arrow-3 Upper Tier Flight Test.

“Missile defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is tremendously beneficial to both countries,” Roskam said. “This partnership enhances Israel’s ability to defend its citizens and gives our own armed forces access to the latest battle-proven technology. I’m glad to see David’s Sling become operational this week and look forward to more successes from this terrific partnership.”