Israel Requests U.S. Phalanx For Anti-Missile Ops

TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Israel plans to request several U.S.-origin artillery
systems to determine their feasibility in missile and rocket defense.
Officials said Defense Minister Ehud Barak intends to submit a request
for the Phalanx close-in weapon system from the U.S. Army. They said Barak
has agreed to consider Phalanx to counter short-range enemy missiles and
rockets.
"The Defense Ministry has received reports on the effectiveness of
Phalanx against mortars and Kassams," an official said. "Barak believes this
could serve as an interim solution against the Palestinian missile threat
from the Gaza Strip."