The Israeli Defense Ministry announced that it conducted a successful test of its Arrow 2 missile system late last night – in cooperation with the United States Defense Agency, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
Throughout the drill the Arrow-2 system successfully engaged a Sparrow target missile, which simulates a long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload.
“The target missile was launched over the State of Israel from the Mediterranean Sea,” disclosed the Executive VP Systems of the IAI Missiles & Space Group, Boaz Levy, adding that, “ The System radar, the Green Pine, acquired the target and track on it until the moment the interceptor was launched over the target and intercepted it on the right moment as expected.”
Head of the Israel Missile Defense Organization Moshe Patel said, “this flight test is coming after 20 years when we deployed the arrow weapon system and delivered it to the Israeli Air Force.” He explained hat this successful interception-test joins a series of additional achievements, including the test campaign of the highly-advanced Arrow 3 missile system, which was conducted last year in the U.S. state of Alaska. “Since we delivered the Arrow 2 weapon system in 2000, we upgraded the system (with) at least 4 or 5 significant upgrades. Together with Arrow 3 weapon system, that just last year succeeded in three consecutive flight tests in Alaska (US), we can ensure the security of the State of Israel.”
According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, “Both (Arrow) systems demonstrated advanced operational capabilities,” further noting that “The integration of both systems in Israel’s air defense mechanism significantly expands and enhances the state’s capability to defend against current and future threats.”
All of Israel’s aerial defense array, systems – including the medium range David Sling and the short-range Iron Dome in addition to the long-range Arrow systems – are joint Israeli-U.S. ventures which are separately employed by both respective militaries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement in which he expressed “deep appreciation to our U.S. ally for jointly advancing our security,” while underscoring that “Our enemies and those who seek our ill should know the State of Israel is prepared for any threat.”