David's Sling missile defense system completes successful test-fire

Israeli officials announced Wednesday that the David's Sling missile defense system has successfully passed a new test and is expected to become operational in 2016.

The Defense Ministry said the system had successfully intercepted multiple targets in a series of tests conducted with the system's development partner, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, calling it a "major milestone."


Credit: Defense Ministry

David's Sling is designed to intercept medium- to long-range rockets and cruise missiles, fired at ranges of 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) to 300 kilometers (186.4 miles). Once operational it would provide an important tool in protecting Israel against Hezbollah.

Together with the Iron Dome and Arrow defense systems, David's Sling is part of Israel's multi-tier missile defense program. Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to 70 kilometers (43 miles), while the Arrow series comprises long-range missile interceptors.

"We believe that next year it's going to be operational," Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon told journalists at an appearance with visiting U.S. House Speaker John Boehner on Wednesday. With Boehner nodding in agreement, Ya'alon said the project was an example of strong U.S.-Israeli relations.

Yair Ramati, head of the Defense Ministry's Homa Directorate, which oversees the missile defense program, explained that David's Sling is designed to counter the "core threats" posed by long-range missiles, and that future upgrades being developed for the system will also allow it to intercept "air-breathing systems" such as unmanned aerial vehicles.

"David's Sling is very effective against long-range [missiles], with more than twice the operational range of Iron Dome," he said, adding that Iron Dome's own interception range has recently been improved.

David's Sling and its Stunner interceptor missiles successfully hit "threat representative targets" in the tests, said Rick Lehner, spokesman for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. "This ... is a major milestone in the development of the David's Sling weapon and provides confidence in future Israeli capabilities to defend against the developing threat."

MDA Director Vice Admiral James Syring said Washington was pleased with the test results and vowed to continue U.S. assistance to Israel's missile defense technology efforts.

Israeli officials in March asked Congress for an additional $317 million for David's Sling and other Israeli missile defense programs, on top of $158 million already requested by the Obama administration in its fiscal 2016 budget.

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