The United States faces a rapidly evolving ballistic missile threat environment. Adversaries are fielding longer-range, faster, and more sophisticated weapons, including systems capable of maneuvering beyond the atmosphere and evading traditional defenses.
In response, Washington has launched the Golden Dome initiative, a flagship effort to build a comprehensive, multi-layered homeland defense architecture designed to protect the American people and to deter US adversaries from initiating conflict by credibly denying the effectiveness of ballistic missile attacks. The architecture integrates capabilities ranging from left-of-launch measures, through space-based interception, to layered ground-based interceptors.
Golden Dome is ambitious in scope by design. It prioritizes accelerated timelines, rapid operational readiness, and the deployment of capabilities that work; not in theory, but in practice. Achieving these objectives will require more than novel concepts or lengthy research programs. It will require proven systems, trusted partnerships, and technologies that have already demonstrated effectiveness under real-world operational conditions.
For decades, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has stood at the forefront of air and missile defense, developing and deploying mature, combat-proven systems that protect civilian populations and critical national infrastructure on a daily basis.
These systems have been validated not only through rigorous testing but through repeated operational use against real threats. This operational track record reflects consistently high levels of reliability, performance, and readiness. These state-of-the-art systems have saved countless lives and prevented billions of dollars in damage on the ground from thousands of attacks.
One area where IAI can offer a uniquely valuable contribution to the success of the Golden Dome is exo-atmospheric interception. This advanced capability allows the targeting and destruction of missiles at higher altitudes.
Operationally proven capabilities in this domain remain relatively scarce worldwide, yet they are essential to countering the most advanced long-range ballistic threats. IAI brings a demonstrated capability to intercept threats beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, directly aligned with the core objectives of Golden Dome’s strategic mission.
This experience matters not only technically, but strategically. By leveraging existing technology, the United States can significantly shorten the research and development cycle, reduce technological risk, and avoid the delays and cost overruns often associated with developing a novel, stand-alone system from scratch. Proven capabilities enable faster deployment, lower overall program costs, and quicker progress toward initial operational capability.
Speed matters. Utilizing mature and fielded technology provides US President Donald Trump with a realistic opportunity to see the Golden Dome transition from concept to activation during his presidency. In doing so, Golden Dome would stand as a defining American national security achievement for the 21st century, one that delivers tangible protection to Americans and leaves a lasting strategic legacy.
For the US, sourcing technology from proven, durable relationships is critical. Our missile defense systems were developed in close cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency over many years. This collaboration has fostered deep institutional familiarity, trusted professional relationships, and well-established technical and operational interfaces. Engineers, operators, and policymakers on both sides understand not only the systems themselves but also how to integrate, sustain, and operate them effectively.
In this context, incorporating IAI capabilities into Golden Dome would not represent a leap into the unknown. Rather, it would be a natural extension of a decades-long US–Israel defense partnership built on shared experience, aligned strategic interests, and a common commitment to protecting democratic societies from evolving threats.
IAI also approaches Golden Dome with a clear understanding of American priorities. With the strong support of the Israeli government, we are fully committed to a comprehensive Americanization process. This includes close collaboration with US defense industry partners for system integration, US domestic production, and long-term sustainment within the United States.
The intended outcome is clear and will produce a fully American system, delivered by a US prime contractor, operating under complete US control, and tailored to US operational requirements. IAI’s role would be to contribute proven technology, operational experience, and technical expertise, while aiding in the scaling of those systems and ensuring that ownership, command, and decision-making authority remain firmly in American hands.
The value proposition for the United States is substantial. Leveraging existing, proven technology will accelerate timelines, expand production capacity, and strengthen the US defense industrial base. It supports US-based manufacturing and generates high-quality American jobs across engineering, production, and sustainment, all while delivering meaningful defensive capability faster.
Golden Dome is more than a defense program. Like the nuclear aircraft carrier, moon shot, and computer technology developed by the US in the last century, it is a profound statement to the rest of the world. It reflects a determination to deliver real protection against real threats. Achieving this vision requires partners who bring more than ideas, but rather capabilities that are proven.
IAI stands ready to support Golden Dome as a trusted and proven partner. Building on what already works will make a groundbreaking missile defense shield a reality, even for a nation of the size and complexity of the United States. In cooperation with a US partner, IAI can share relevant experience and technological insight, leveraging the capabilities of complementary technologies across both industries to support the development of a next-generation US capability for homeland defense.
Boaz Levy is the President and CEO of IAI.