image FILE PHOTO: A test of a new Israeli air defense system, David's Sling Weapon System, is seen in this handout picture released by Israel's Ministry of Defense (MOD) on April 1, 2015. REUTERS/MOD/Handout via Reuters/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS.

Joint US-Israeli anti rocket system completes successful tests

Israel has completed successful tests of an advanced version of its ‘David’s Sling’ intermediate missile interceptor system that it is developing jointly with the United States. The system is designed to shoot down rockets aimed at the Jewish state with rages of 100 to 200 kilometers, such as those in the arsenal of Iranian-backed Hezbollah, a Lebanese group which last fought a war with Israel in 2006 and currently is defined as the most immediate threat to the Jewish state with tens of thousands of rockets directed at it from its northern neighbor, Lebanon.

The David Sling is also able to shoot down aircrafts or low-flying cruise missiles. An Israeli defense ministry official revealed that the initial version of the system completed testing in December of 2015 and was handed over to the country’s air force but has not yet been declared operational. Now that the advanced version of the David Sling was successful, it will become operational and will fulfil the gap in protecting Israel from its hostile neighbors.