Iron Dome

The Defense Department will ask Congress for more funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

"The Department of Defense has been in conversations with the Government of Israel about U.S. support for the acquisition of additional Iron Dome systems and intends to request an appropriate level of funding from Congress to support such acquisitions based on Israeli requirements and production capacity," Little said this afternoon in a statement.

Supporting the security of the State of Israel is a "top priority" of President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Little said, noting the United States has previously provided $205 million in support of Israel’s Iron Dome short-range rocket and mortar defense system.

"During the rocket attacks earlier this month, the Iron Dome system played a critical role in Israel's security," Little said. "When nearly 300 rockets and mortars were fired at southern Israel, Iron Dome intercepted over 80 percent of the targets it engaged, saving many civilian lives."