An Israeli ministerial committee has approved the plans to purchase four additional Iron Dome anti-rocket batteries after successful deployment of the system.

The two batteries which were recently deployed outside the southern city of Beersheva, Israel, have successfully intercepted eight rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said full implementation of the Iron Dome system would have a significant influence on war tools and the durability of the home front.

The third Iron Dome battery will be deployed by the end of 2011, with the additional batteries expected to be operational within two years.