IDF Explores Ground-to-Ground Rockets; US Co-Production?

Following the recent rocket attacks from Gaza, Israeli experts say the IDF needs more versions of ground-to-ground rockets to hit enemy rocket launchers.

An Israeli defense source told BD that the use of Israeli ground-to-ground missiles in the recent Nagorno-Karabach war “increased the interest in these missiles, especially the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Lora.

“I cannot go into details but I can say that American companies, including the IAI subsidiary Stark Aerospace, can easily make parts of this missile using FMF funds. Stark manufactures parts of the Israeli Arrow 3 ballistic missile interceptor and can easily start making the Lora and other Israeli made ground-to-ground missiles — some that are still classified. The administration will back any such decision as it adds jobs to U.S companies.”
The LORA consists of a long-range tactical ground-to-ground missile developed by IAI’s MALAM division. Its got a range of 400 km and it’s got a CEP of 10 meters or better. The Lora was used heavily by the Azeri army in the Nagorno-Karabach war.

The defense source added that the U.S has followed the use of the Israeli ground-to-ground missiles in the many reported attacks on Iranian targets in Syria. According to Syria the missiles hit the targets with great accuracy.


The recent U.S–Israeli FMF agreement decreases the portion of the defense grants that can be converted to local Israeli currency, so this may force Israeli companies to form joint ventures with American companies to manufacture the long range missiles.