BICOM

Israel and the US completed a successful test of the Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile defence system on Tuesday.

The test was carried out by Israel’s Ministry of Defence in cooperation with the US Missile Defence Agency (MDA) and assisted by the Israeli Air Force and Israeli Aerospace Industry, which manufactures the Arrow 3 system. While the Arrow 3 was successfully tested a year ago, a real target was not used. Yesterday’s test was the first in which the Arrow 3 intercepted a target.

Israel currently uses the Arrow 2 which has been operational for a number of years. The Arrow 3 is a more advanced system designed to shoot down ballistic missiles while the incoming projectile is still outside the earth’s atmosphere. Both systems are part of the multi-layered missile defence system Israel has developed to defend against short-range, mid-range and long-range missiles that can be fired from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and even Iran. Iron Dome is the first layer of the system, followed by David’s Sling and Arrows 2 and 3.

The Israeli Ministry of Defence said: “Once the target was launched, Arrow Weapon System radars detected it and transferred the data to the battle management control which then established a defence plan. At the right moment, the Arrow 3 interceptor was launched toward the target and successfully completed its mission. The success of this test presents an important milestone in the operational capabilities of the State of Israel in defending itself against current and future existential threats”.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israel Aerospace Industries hours after the successful test and said Israel has one of the strongest and most advanced defence and attack capabilities. He said: “Let our enemies who seek to destroy us know that Israel’s crushing fist will reach all those who seek our harm, and we will hold them accountable.”

US MDA director Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves said: “This successful test provides confidence in Israel’s capability to protect itself from existing threats in the region. My congratulations to the Israel Missile Defense Organization, the Israeli Air Force, our MDA team, and our industry partners. We are committed to assisting the government of Israel in upgrading its national missile defence capability against emerging threats.”