Israel upgrades missile defense system

Israel has upgraded its top-tier Arrow II missile defense, as the country girds for possible attacks from Iran and Syria.

A Defense Ministry official without elaborating confirmed to FOX News, that sensors, command and control equipment and radar have been enhanced to improve reach and accuracy. He would not say how many Arrow II batteries are deployed around the country and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the military's preparations. Israel has developed a network of air defense systems to parry various threats it sees from its enemies, including the Arrow, a joint project with the U.S that is designed to shoot down incoming missiles launched as far away as Iran. Israel regards Iran as its main enemy and suspects Tehran is building nuclear weapons despite its denials. Last week, in a public appearance in Jerusalem with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that time was quickly running out to stop Iran from achieving nuclear capability. Israel is also rattled by Iran's arsenal of missiles capable of striking the Jewish state, its frequent talk of Israel's annihilation, and its alliances with anti-Israel militants in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, who control tens of thousands of rockets. (Fox News)