Ynet: NIS 3B needed for gas rig defense plan
07.10.12, 12:16–The gas rigs defense plan will be will be sent to the cabinet for approval and will include requests for manpower and a massive budget. The General Staff and the Defense Ministry have approved the plan which is meant to secure four drilling facilities and will cost an estimated NIS 3 billion ($760 million) annually.
“This is a strategic asset, it’s like shifting land the size of the State of Israel to the sea,” stressed Naval Commander Brigadier General Ram Rotberg.
According to the plan, Israel will purchase four coast guard ships, each the size of an IDF torpedo boat on which it will place the Barak defense system – or a naval Iron Dome, as the IDF likes to call it – advanced radar and tracking system.
Some 250 troops, officers and NCOs will be manning the ships which will patrol the rig area and respond to various threats including missiles, mines boat bombs and more…Read More>>
