Jane Harman: “I believe I was the first Member of Congress in January 2001 to see the Arrow system deployed at Palmachim Air Force…”

“I believe I was the first Member of Congress in January 2001 to see the Arrow system deployed at Palmachim Air Force Base in Israel. It was very exciting to see the radar, the launchers, and also to see some members of the United States Navy working on the interoperable aspects of the system. An important thing for this House to understand is that this system is interoperable. The cost-sharing between our country and Israel has produced a system that will protect Israel against current and future missile attacks, and these are real threats, but also will protect U.S. troops deployed in the field. The work we have done on this system and the costs we have shared with our democratic ally, Israel, will help us as we develop our own more advanced theater missile defense and national missile defense systems. This amendment transfers money in this defense authorization bill to support more advanced deployment of a system Israel needs now, and to support the continued development of missile defense systems for the United States. It is a win-win; a win for our ally, Israel; a win for our troops and our homeland.”