Tel Aviv. Israel is upgrading its multi-tiered ballistic missiles defence system. On August 12 an Arrow 2 ballistic missiles interceptor performed a successful intercept test.
The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), in the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD), together with the American Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and the Israeli Air Force (IAF), have completed a successful test of the Arrow-2 weapon system overnight of August 12 at 11:45 p.m. The test was led by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and conducted at a site located in central Israel.
Throughout the test, the Arrow-2 system successfully engaged a Sparrow target missile, launched from a combat aircraft that simulated a long-range surface-to-surface missile.
During the test, the upgraded capabilities of the Arrow system to contend with current and future threats, were validated. The interception was conducted by IAF service members together with engineers from the institutions involved in the system’s development.
The various layers of Israel’s air defense mechanism were employed in this test, in order to ensure their readiness and efficacy in operational scenarios.
This successful interception test joins a series of additional achievements, including the Arrow-3 test campaign conducted by the IMDO and MDA last year, in Alaska. Both the systems demonstrated advanced operational capabilities. The integration of two systems in Israel’s air defense mechanism significantly expands and enhances the state’s capability to defend against current and future threats.
-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
