Israel begins outfitting airliners with flare anti-missile systems
After fits and starts, Israel will outfit passengers planes with home-made flare-based defensive systems; new flares consume themselves in the air so there is less of a risk of igniting fires on the ground
Israeli defense officials say Israel will begin outfitting some of its passenger aircraft with missile defense systems within weeks. The plans have been in the works since 2002, when an Arkia passenger jet was targeted after takeoff by al-Qaeda-affiliated militants firing missiles in Mombasa, Kenya. The missiles missed, but the attack spurred Israel to consider equipping passenger aircraft with defense systems similar to those already used by the air force. AP reports that the system fires flares that disrupt an incoming missile’s heat-seeking mechanism. It will be installed first on airplanes flying to destinations considered dangerous, especially in Africa and parts of Asia. The officials say the plans were held up until this month by arguments between government ministries over who would foot the bill.
Israel’s carrier El Al began outfitting some iof its planes with flare-based system made by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) in December 2006, but several EU countries refused to allow planes with flares on board to enter their airspace. Many European countries, as well as the United States, have laws against carrying incendiary devices on board planes for fear that these devices will ignite fires when they fall to the ground.
