An industry source familiar with production standards for such weapons, estimated that at full output a company like Rafael would be able to produce around 10 missiles a day.

The fifth Iron Dome unit, rushed through production and posted near Tel Aviv on Saturday, features improved capabilities for tackling longer-range rockets.

SPEEDING UP

Israel says it needs 13 batteries altogether for nationwide defence. Given the Gaza flare-up, the defence ministry is currently earmarking funds, including from annual U.S. grants, for about three more units.

The Rafael official said the firm now needed “months” to produce each full system, whereas it once took a few years.

“Once the basic research and development was out of the way, that speeded up manufacturing. Obviously now, with various elements of the production being especially busy, that gives the whole operation another boost,” he said, adding that a sixth battery was not expected in the near future.

And with every interception, Israel learns more about the rockets being fired at it from Gaza.

“You can tell a lot from the strength of the blast” about what kind of warhead had been used, the official said. Information on the rocket’s trajectory and speed are also filed away and studied afterwards.

Israel hopes to increase the range of Iron Dome’s interceptions, from the current maximum of 70 km (45 miles) to 250 km.