JINSA report warns Golden Dome gaps leave U.S. exposed to drone threats without Israeli systems
WASHINGTON, July 28. A report from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America warns that the Golden Dome missile shield, as currently funded, could leave American cities, military bases and critical infrastructure exposed to drone and cruise-missile threats while the Pentagon channels spending toward space-based systems that may take years to become operational. The report, titled "The Missing Shield: Acquiring Israeli Air Defenses Makes Golden Dome Sustainable," urges Washington to make Israeli air-defense technology a central component of the planned layered shield.
Key takeaways
- A JINSA report titled "The Missing Shield" warns that the Golden Dome missile shield, as currently funded, could leave U.S. cities, military bases and critical infrastructure exposed to drone and cruise-missile threats while spending is directed toward space-based systems that ma
- The report, authored by Ari Cicurel, estimates Israeli-designed launchers cost 58% to 88% less, interceptors 19% to 97% less, and radars 32% to 87% less than comparable U.S. systems.
- JINSA recommends incorporating four Israeli programs into Golden Dome's lower layers: Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow and Iron Beam.
- The Pentagon declined to confirm whether it is evaluating those Israeli systems, saying it had "nothing new to announce at this time."
- A May 12 Congressional Budget Office analysis estimated a notional national missile-defense system consistent with Trump's executive order could cost roughly $1.2 trillion over 20 years.
WASHINGTON, July 28. A report from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America warns that the Golden Dome missile shield, as currently funded, could leave American cities, military bases and critical infrastructure exposed to drone and cruise-missile threats while the Pentagon channels spending toward space-based systems that may take years to become operational. The report, titled "The Missing Shield: Acquiring Israeli Air Defenses Makes Golden Dome Sustainable," urges Washington to make Israeli air-defense technology a central component of the planned layered shield.
Cost gap between Israeli and U.S. systems
JINSA's report, authored by Ari Cicurel, estimates Israeli-designed launchers cost 58% to 88% less than comparable U.S. systems, interceptors 19% to 97% less, and radars 32% to 87% less. Those savings, Cicurel told Fox News Digital, would allow the Pentagon to expand interceptor stockpiles and purchase more launchers while preserving funding for longer-range and space-based capabilities.
A May 12 Congressional Budget Office analysis estimated that a notional national missile-defense system broadly consistent with President Trump's executive order could cost approximately $1.2 trillion over 20 years to develop, deploy and operate. The CBO stressed the estimate was not a projection of the Pentagon's actual Golden Dome plan because the department had not released sufficient architectural detail.
Israeli systems the report recommends
The report proposes four Israeli programs for Golden Dome's lower defensive layers: Iron Dome for short-range threats, David's Sling for medium-range threats, Arrow for ballistic missiles and Iron Beam for lower-cost laser interception. Cicurel said 102 companies across 34 states already participate in producing Israeli air-defense systems and that Washington helped finance their development. "What we're really talking about is finally leveraging American tax dollars that have gone to help produce, help develop these Israeli systems," he told Fox News Digital.
Pentagon declines to confirm evaluation
The Pentagon told Fox News Digital that Golden Dome is being designed as a layered system intended to address the full spectrum of threats, including hypersonic and ballistic missiles, advanced cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems. Asked specifically whether the department is evaluating Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow or Iron Beam for purchase, integration or expanded co-production, a Pentagon official declined. "We have nothing new to announce at this time," the official said.
The report's release coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington for talks with President Trump expected to center on Iran and regional security. JINSA recommends that Golden Dome cooperation be included in the next U.S.-Israel memorandum of understanding.