Israel and the United States on Thursday successfully tested a ballistic missile interceptor as the Jewish state seeks to upgrade its defences in the face of regional threats, officials said.
The trial from an Israeli test range involved the Arrow 3 interceptor, designed to shoot down missiles above the atmosphere, with Israel concerned over the potential for attacks from enemies including Iran.
A similar test a year ago failed, but Thursday's trial intercepted a ballistic missile target above the Mediterranean.
"This successful test is a major milestone in the development of the Arrow Weapon System and provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing threats," Israel's defence ministry said.
"Additional Arrow-3 interceptor tests are planned in the future to demonstrate capability prior to becoming operational."
The Arrow project was first launched in 1988 as part of the then Star Wars programme under late US president Ronald Reagan that was abandoned in 1993.
Arrow 3, developed jointly between the United States and Israel, is intended to serve as Israel's uppermost missile interception system. Lower-altitude interception systems are either already deployed or close to being operational.
Partly financed by the United States, the Arrow system was developed and produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing.
Israel strongly opposed a nuclear deal struck in July between Iran and major powers, arguing it would not block its regional rival's path to atomic weapons.
It also argues that the lifting of sanctions under the deal will allow Iran to further back and arm proxy militants in the region.
The United States said earlier this month it was conducting a "serious review" into reports that Iran carried out a new round of ballistic missile testing in violation of UN resolutions.
GMT 14:36 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Fossil fuels blown away by wind in cost terms: studyGMT 18:20 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Ukraine to launch its first solar plant at ChernobylGMT 18:44 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Finland's Fortum snaps up EON's fossil fuels stakeGMT 17:39 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Norway powers ahead electrically with over half of new car sales now electric or hybridGMT 15:36 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Minister of Mining Says Govt. Invested MAD 12.3 Billion between 2003-2017GMT 18:00 2017 Saturday ,23 December
Energy prices bump key US inflation index up in NovemberGMT 09:01 2017 Friday ,15 December
BP plan to buy Australian petrol pump network blockedGMT 14:54 2017 Monday ,27 November
Belarus nuclear power plant stirs fears in LithuaniaMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor