The defense establishment on Tuesday conducted a test with a new component of the Patriot system
- the 'Yahalom' missile. The test, aimed at examining the various improvements that have been made in the system's operational capabilities, was crowned a success after an extensive review of the experiment results on Wednesday.
The test took place at a location in southern Israel, whereby a missile was launched at a target resembling an enemy plane. The improved missile was able to successfully intercept the target. But defense engineers haven't finished tinkering with the system quite yet - Rafael Advanced Defense Systems plans to equip the Patriot system with a new radar designed to improve its range.
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| (Bullseye! The new missile is launched and lands on target. (Video: IDF Spokesperson's Unit |
Brig. Gen. Danny Milo, commander of the IDF's anti-aircraft forces, said that the test's success would create a new operational reality by improving Israeli capabilities vis-à-vis relevant threats.
Last October the defense establishment tested the "PAC-3" Patriot missile, which, according to various sources, Israel will obtain from the US.
The system was introduced at a convention of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and the Israeli Missile Defense Association. The new model, equipped with 16 launching barrels, is a significant step-up from the current system (which has only four) and improves Israel's ability to cope with ballistic missiles.
Under the government's comprehensive plan for missile defense, the advanced Patriot system is to serve as a second layer of defense in the event that the Hetz missile system fails to strike down its enemy target. According to various reports, a new missile of this type will cost around $4 million.
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