The United States has transferred the first completely American-made Tamir interceptor missile for the Iron Dome air defense system to Israel, manufactured at the Raytheon-Rafael plant in Arkansas. This historic event marks the first time a complete Tamir missile has been produced outside of Israel, significantly expanding manufacturing capabilities for Israeli air defense needs.

History and Launch of the Arkansas Plant

The first all-American Tamir missile was handed over to Israel's Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) at the Raytheon-Rafael Protection Systems (R2S) facility in East Camden, Arkansas. The official handover ceremony took place on October 7, 2026, with key American and Israeli officials in attendance. The joint venture between Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon began construction of the plant in February 2024, investing $63 million in the project, and opened its doors in November 2025.

Technical Specifications and the Role of the Tamir Missile

The Tamir missile was developed by Rafael under the supervision of IMDO and has served as the primary interceptor for the Iron Dome system since its deployment in 2011. The weapon is approximately three meters long, has a diameter of 160 mm, and weighs around 90 kg, combining flight correction with an onboard radar seeker. Its high-explosive fragmentation warhead with a radar proximity fuze effectively destroys aerial targets at ranges from 4 to 70 kilometers.

Economic Significance and Future Outlook

The new U.S. facility has already secured a major $1.25 billion contract awarded in November 2025 for Tamir missiles, kits, and test equipment. Additionally, the plant is set to produce SkyHunter, the U.S. derivative of Tamir, for the United States Marine Corps. According to IMDO Director Moshe Patel, the production expansion helps accelerate air defense deliveries and reinvests U.S. funding into the American defense-industrial base.