The United States has transferred two batteries of PAC-2 missile defense systems to Israel. Middle East Newsline reports that the U.S. Army sent the systems for a joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense exercise to be held this month. Officials said that after the exercise, the PAC-2 batteries would remain in Israel to help defend against a missile strike from Iraq. The upcoming exercise will include the joint Israeli-U.S. Arrow-2 medium-tier system and the Aegis sea-based missile defense system.