Israel conducts major drill with multi-range missile-defence system

Israel has conducted a major exercise with a multi-range missile-defence system to assess its capabilities in neutralising aerial threats.

The integrated testing involved testing various air defence systems, which coordinated and intercepted multiple targets simultaneously.

According to The Times of Israel report, the drill particularly assessed the capabilities of the new version of the medium-range David’s Sling air defence system, an under-development weapon system capable of neutralising medium-range missiles.

Testing will help researchers in further developing the system.

The drill also included testing the Iron Dome system, which is used to destroy short-range rockets. However, the test evaluated the capability of the system against cruise missiles, UAVs and other threats.

Furthermore, the exercise included Arrow air defence system that is used to intercept long-range missiles.

The publication quoting the Defence Ministry as saying: “The success of this series of tests represents an important milestone in the operational capability of the State of Israel in its self-defence against existing and future threats in the region.”

The exercised were conducted by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems along with the Israel Missile Defense Organization and US Missile Defense Agency, which supported the development of air defence systems.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying: “I praise the successful test, which for the first time tested integrated, multi-tiered interceptions of the state of Israel’s defence systems.

“This is one of the most advanced networks in the world, which gives the state of Israel defence against threats from near and far.”

Notably, Israel delivered the first multi-mission radars (MMRs) for Iron Dome Defense System batteries to the US Army last month after supplying them with the first battery.