A plan to protect the new gas drilling platforms off Israel's coast is to be brought before the government this week for approval. The plan has already been approved by the Defense Ministry and the IDF General Staff. The plan is designed to defend four drilling platforms, and will require special training of 250 fighters and officers who will be stationed on the platforms, as well as the purchasing of special equipment.In addition, a number of patrol boats will be dedicated specifically to defending the platforms. The plan will cost some NIS 3 billion.
Speaking to reporters, IDF Naval Commander Ram Rotenberg said that the platforms were “a strategic asset, and we must defend them as we defend the territory of Israel.”