The first two batteries of the Iron Dome system must be deployed in southern Israel as soon as possible, a team comprised of members of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee said Wednesday. The team headed by Knesset member Amir Peretz said in the next five years the army must equip itself with 13 batteries at a cost of $2.5 billion. Peretz who pushed for the development of Iron Dome and approved its execution during his term as defense minister, said the equipping stage must be accelerated for economic and operational considerations. The team was asked to review the missile defense system and come up with recommendations.
