Tel Aviv: The Israeli David’s Sling air defence system, one of the Israeli multi-tier defence system against rocket and missiles, proved itself for the first time in combat on May 10 when it intercepted a heavy rocket launched from Gaza towards Tel Aviv.
The heavy rocket was one of the 470 that the Hamas terror organisation launched yesterday into Israel. Most of these with a trajectory that threatened Israeli civilians have been interpreted by the Iron Dome system.
David’s Sling was developed by Rafael and is designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets, and cruise missiles. The David’s Sling Weapon system incorporates a vertical missile firing unit, an ELM-2084 fire control radar, a battle management/operator station and the Stunner interceptor. It is designed to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles at ranges of 40 to 300 km.
The system’s interceptor, the Stunner, is a two-stage, 4.6 m-long missile capable of intercepting targets at altitudes of up to 15 km and ranges between 40 and 300 km. It uses a three-pulse solid propellant motor to reach speeds of up to Mach 7.5. The first two pulses accelerate the missile through its initial trajectory while the third activates to manoeuvre the interceptor and increase speed prior to intercept.
According to Missile threat website, unlike Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor, Stunner has no warhead, defeating targets by striking them directly. The missile’s asymmetric, “dolphin-shaped” nose features two sensors for terminal guidance: a combined electro-optical/imaging infrared (EO/IR) sensor and a radar seeker for all-weather performance.
For midcourse guidance, the missile receives updates from the system’s ground-based radar via an onboard datalink. Each Stunner missile costs an estimated $1 million to produce. The system creates great interest in European countries in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
Only recently Finland the new NATO member announced that it will purchase the Israeli made system. According to an official statement of the Finnish government the Ministry of Defense has authorised the Finnish Defense Forces to procure the David’s Sling system as the next long-range air defence system of Finland.
According to the statement Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will deliver the system. The value of the procurement without value added tax is approximately Euro 316 million.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
