August 24, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 10, 1428

JERUSALEM: The Israeli air force is to buy advanced US-made missiles, capable of intercepting aircraft and long-range ballistic missiles, to upgrade the current air defence system, a report said on Thursday.

The Patriot PAC-3 missiles, which will replace the PAC-2 currently in use, is capable of intercepting missiles possessed by foe Syria, the Ynet news website said, citing unnamed sources.

There was no immediate comment from the defence ministry.

The PAC-3 missile is made to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft, according to the website of its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.

The missile, weighing 320 kilograms, increases the firepower of the Patriot battery, as 16 of them fit on a Patriot launcher, compared with four PAC-2s, it said.

Israel first deployed the Patriot system in 1991, when then Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein fired Scuds on the country during the first Gulf War.—AFP