Blue Anchor target missile
Courtesy of Defense Ministry Spokesperson's Office
Latest Arrow test successful
Ministry says test, which involved more sophisticated target missile than recent test, shows success of latest improvements to missile defense system
Israel carried out a test launch of its Arrow II interceptor missile on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said, a system designed to defend against possible ballistic missile attacks by Iran and Syria.
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"It was a successful test," the ministry said, adding that 90 percent of test launches – 16 in all, according to Israel Radio – have been successful.
The test, which was carried out at 11:00 a.m. local time at the Palmahim Air Force Base, was focused on testing the latest improvements to the Arrow, which include an interception shield of missiles to combat Uranium missiles running on solid fuel.
According to a defense source, the Arrow being tested intercepted a target 'Blue Anchor' missile - meant to simulate an Iranian Shehab - which was launched from an Israeli aircraft over the Mediterranean.
The Blue Anchor target missile is more sophisticated than the 'Black Anchor' target missiles used in previous tests.
The Arrow project is jointly funded by Israel and the United States to serve as a strategic shield against ballistic missiles in the arsenals of Iran and Syria.
Tuesday's test was the latest implementation of the joint Arrow System Improvement Program (ASIP), developed in order to enhance the Arrow's ability to defeat longer-range ballistic missile threats emerging in the Middle East.
Previous launches have been testing the system to improve its performance at high altitudes and against multiple incoming missiles.
At least two Arrow batteries have been deployed in Israel.
Reuters contributed to this report
