The new Israeli gas mask will not be operational for the next Gulf war – the anticipated US operation against Iraq – and will enter service only in 2003. Until development of the mask is completed, Israelis will continue to possess the current mask, which the IDF Homefront Command asserts protects against all existing threats. A senior IDF sources said the masks' shortcomings revealed by the State Comptroller have been corrected.
The current gas mask costs NIS 200, while the cost of the filters, injection and battery is NIS 200 more. The production budget for the masks and expired components has not yet been decided. The defense establishment estimates hundreds of millions of shekels will be needed, and is negotiating for funding with the Ministry of Finance. The gas masks are manufactured at two plants in Israel: Shalon Chemical Industries in Kiryat Gat and Supergum Rubber and Plastic Products in Barkan.
In contrast to the Iraq crisis in 1998, when a shortage of updated gas masks was discovered, foreign masks will not be procured this time. Israel insisted that all gas mask components be of US manufacture. Therefore, the masks' batteries will be US standard only, made by Duracell and Energizer (NYSE:ENR). The companies have assured Israel of adequate deliveries in case of emergency.
A senior military source told ''Globes'' that current masks cannot provide absolute protection against unconventional threats, and were only part Israel's defense, which includes the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system, and improved rescue techniques developed as a result of the 1991 Gulf War.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 22, 2002