"We have already fitted the system in one aircraft and we are planning to equip five others shortly," Yitzhak Raza, who is in charge of the project, told AFP.

Raza said the so-called "Flight Guard" system, which has been developed by the Israeli arms firm ELTA, costs a million dollars to install on each aircraft.

The anti-missile system is equipped with thermal sensors which can deflect missiles in a similar fashion to those already installed on combat aircraft.

The decision to install the systems was made following a failed attempt in Kenya three years ago to shoot down an Israeli plane taking off from Mombasa.

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