Israel successfully tested its Arrow-2 ballistic missile interceptor on Wednesday, the US Missile Defense Agency said.
"The Arrow-2 interceptor successfully performed its planned trajectory and destroyed the target," the Pentagon agency said in a statement.
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During the test, the Arrow intercepted an Israeli Sparrow-class medium-range target missile.
Arrow-2 is part of the multi-layered system Israel has developed to defend against both short- and mid-range rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon, as well as Iran's long-range missiles. It includes Iron Dome, David's Sling and the Arrow-3 system – capable of defending against threats from outside the atmosphere.
In July 2019, the Arrow-3 passed a series of live interception tests over Alaska.
"MDA remains committed to assisting the government of Israel as it upgrades its national missile defense capability against current and emerging threats," said the agency's director, Vice Admiral Jon Hill.
The test was conducted at a test range in central Israel and over the Mediterranean Sea, MDA said.
Moshe Patel, who heads the Defense Ministry's Homa Directorate, which oversees the development of missile defenses, said Iran was the most natural threat but that the Arrow could also cope with attacks from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who was appraised of the successful test, said: "Israel is facing challenges near and our technological commandos, spearheaded by the [Defense Ministry's] Directorate of Defense Research and Development, Israel Aerospace Industries, and other defense companies, ensure we will always be a step ahead of our enemies and protect Israel's skies against any threat. The joint test with the US is an expression of the friendship and partnership between the countries and United States' deep commitment to the security of the citizens of Israel. We will continue working together to enhance our defense capabilities – in the air, sea, on land, and the cybernetic sphere."
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