Israeli Firm Bringing Radar Defense Jobs To Md.

FULTON, Md. (WJZ)-- It's not everyday another country outsources jobs to the United States.

But it's happened, and as Alex DeMetrick reports, the jobs are coming to Maryland.

An old-fashioned ribbon cutting ceremony means 100 new high tech jobs are coming to Howard County.

"These are great-paying jobs; $100,000 average salary for those 100," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.

ELTA is an Israeli company whose specialty is radar research and manufacturing.

"At a time when American businesses are exporting, outsourcing jobs to Asia, Israel is exporting, outsourcing jobs to the United States of America," said Dr. Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the United States.

Right now the radar systems built in Israel is part of that country's anti-missile system called the Iron Dome.

"I have a daughter living in Be'er Sheva and every time one of those rockets gets fired, she has about fifty seconds to get to a bomb shelter," said Oren.

To ward off not only battlefield attacks, but rocket launches against its cities, the Howard County facility will look for customers beyond Israel.

"Working to develop that next generation of radar that's going to protect America, protect a treasured ally like Israel, and ultimately protect the world," said Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

The ELTA facility is promising to grow more jobs because it will also be the company's North American headquarters.