Arrow-3 successfully intercepts target in Israel-US test launch

The Israel Air Force and the US missile defense agency conducted a successful test of an Arrow-3 air defense system early Tuesday from Israel’s Palmachim air base. From Sunday, the coastal area around the base was closed to access. The last Arrow-3 test took place eleven months ago.
The Defense Ministry issued this statement: “The Israel Missile Defense Organization at the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (known by its Hebrew acronym Maf’at), along with the American Missile Defense Agency (MDA), carried out at 6:44am today a successful test of the Arrow 3 weapons system which is designed to intercept hostile ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. It was conducted from a testing ground in central Israel by the Israel Aerospace Industries with the participation of the Israel Air Force. “When the target was in place, the Arrow system’s radar registered its position and beamed the data to the Battle Management Center for analysis and an interception plan. An Arrow 3 interceptor was then launched against the target and successfully accomplished its mission,” the ministry said.

The Defense Ministry added: This successful test is an important milestone in the State of Israel’s operational capability to defend itself against future and present existential threats from the region.” The test was pre-scheduled as part of the Arrow’s ongoing development. A British-designed Hawker 800 twin-engine executive aircraft, manufactured by the US Raytheon, was used in the test.