An Iron Dome anti-missile battery was deployed this morning in the Gush Dan area, as part of an exercise to test the system's ability to intercept rockets and missiles fired at Tel Aviv.

The Iron Dome training plan includes deployment of batteries at various sites around the country, so that they will have flexible operational capability where needed in an emergency. The battery, which was previously sited at various locations in the south, will spend a short time in the center of the country to test its suitability for the site and to learn the local topographical conditions.

The battery's deployment in the center of the country was supposed to be carried out in February, but was postponed because of the flare-up in Gaza. "This is part of a large-scale general test operation that we're carrying out for the Iron Dome," said an air defense official last month. "We're examining every possible site to test the system's capabilities there and to learn about every site where we will deploy."

The battery, which in April will mark the anniversary of its first interception, was previously deployed in Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Beersheva. It is due to be joined by the fourth Iron Dome battery in a few weeks. This battery will be the first to be commanded by a woman: Captain Revital Uzan.

During the last flare-up in the south, Palestinians fired 222 Kassam and Grad rockets against Israeli communities. 56 rockets, almost 90% of the rockets that on trajectories towards city centers, were intercepted by the Iron Dome batteries.

The IDF spokesman said, "The Iron Dome system is in the process of operational commissioning, which includes deployment of the battery from time to time at various sites across the country. As part of the operational commissioning program, the system is currently deployed in Gush Dan."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com