Iceland Air Defence System

[3][4] It operates four radar complexes, a software and support facility as well as a command and report centre.

[2] As of 2008[update], it does not independently possess any offensive capabilities, but is primarily used instead to monitor air traffic and direct allied interceptors based out of country.

[5] The four facilities are located at the four intercardinal points:[6] Two older structures, H-2 (Heidharhofn 66°16′42.7″N 014°59′33.2″W / 66.278528°N 14.992556°W / 66.278528; -14.992556 (Bolungarvík AS H-1)) and H-4 (Straumnes), were erected by the US and NATO in the late 1950s but where closed few years later due to high operation costs.

According to the U.S. Department of State website (Office of Public Diplomacy, Iceland page, updated August 2008), the 2008 budget for the Government of Iceland is the first in the country's history to include funding for defence (US$8.2 million); the money is earmarked for support of cooperative defence activities, military exercises in Iceland, and maintenance of defence-related facilities.

At the start of 2010 Iceland Air Defence reported having a force of 25 employees.