Israel successfully tests its Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile

Progress has been mainly in the field of algorithms, which make it possible to detect incoming threats and calculate the launch paths of interceptor missiles, said Boaz Levy, president and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, which makes Arrow 3.

The Ministry of Defense said in a statement that as soon as the radars detected the target and the intercept plans were completed, two missiles with different trajectories were launched and successfully carried out their mission.

The missile was jointly developed by Israel and the United States, which is now working on Arrow 4.

The national newspapers indicated that these exercises come after a series of ballistic missile tests conducted by Iran in recent weeks.

Referring to that country, Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that the success of Arrow 3 allows “Israel freedom to conduct offensive operations against its enemies, with the understanding that the best defense allows the most effective attack.”

Recently, Kan Radio revealed that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) will carry out large-scale exercises in the spring to simulate an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

In 2021, the government headed by ultra-nationalist Naftali Bennett approved a national budget that would provide additional funds to finance the offensive.

Three weeks ago, Tomer Bar, the next commander of the Israeli Air Force, who will take office in April, took the bombing for granted, though he did not specify the dates.

“I have to assume that (the raid) will take place in my time, and I already understand the scale of the responsibility,” the current chief designer of the Israeli Air Force said in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly stressed that its program is for peaceful purposes aimed at generating electricity, and has warned that it will retaliate if it is attacked.

jha / rob