Israel militarizes civil aircrafts

War officials say Israel will begin outfitting some of its passenger aircraft with rocket defense systems within weeks.

The plans have been in the works since 2002, when an Israeli passenger jet was targeted after takeoff by militants firing rockets in Mombasa, Kenya. The rockets missed, but the attack spurred Zionist regime to consider equipping passenger aircraft with defense systems similar to those already used by the air force.

The officials say the system fires flares that disrupt an incoming rocket's heat-seeking mechanism. It will be installed first on airplanes flying to destinations considered dangerous, especially in Africa and parts of Asia.

The officials say the plans were held up until this month by arguments between government ministries over who would foot the bill.