Israeli PM Netanyahu Inaugurates Israel’s 'David Sling' Anti-Missile System

Defense News: Israel marks operational deployment of David’s Sling

TEL AVIV — In ceremonies Sunday marking operational deployment of the jointly developed US-Israel David Sling Weapon System, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned: “Whoever seeks to hit us will be hit. Whoever threatens our existence places himself in existential danger.”

Speaking ahead of the Israeli defense minister, Air Force commander and other dignitaries at the Hatzor Airbase, Netanyahu flagged the high priority ascribed to defending Israel against the growing rocket and missile threat. “We have pioneering technology here and Israel continues to lead the world in this field,” he said.

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More News On Israeli PM Netanyahu Inaugurating Israel’s 'David Sling' Anti-Missile System

Israel PM warns enemies at missile defense ceremony -- AP
With a storm on the horizon, Israel turns on its latest missile defense system -- The Times of Israel
Netanyahu inaugurates David's Sling -- Ynetnews
David's Sling comes online as latest component to Israel's air defense shield -- Jerusalem Post
'Those who want to beat us will be defeated': Israel's David's Sling goes live -- i24news
PM: David's Sling an 'important milestone' in US-Israel defense cooperation -- The Times of Israel
Israel unveils latest addition to David's Sling missile defense system -- FOX News
Israel makes operational medium-range missile interceptor -- DW
Israel unveils latest missile defence system -- Al Jazeera
‘Existential danger to enemies’: Netanyahu inaugurates Israel’s latest anti-missile system -- RT

Israel Successfully Tests U.S.-Backed Missile Shield 'David's Sling'

Reuters: Israel tests U.S.-backed missile shield as Iran nuclear talks churn

* "David's Sling" due to be deployed next year
* Israel sees threat from Iran-backed Hezbollah
* Tests completed on deadline for Iran nuclear talks

A new Israeli air defense system being developed in partnership with the United States met all its objectives in a series of recent live interception tests, U.S. and Israeli officials said Wednesday, putting it on course for deployment by next year.

The system, David's Sling, shot down targets simulating longer-range missiles like Scuds that could be fired at Israel from Syria and by Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas.

Defense sources said the more recent tests took place last week and on Tuesday. The latter coincided with international negotiations on Iran's disputed nuclear program that have drawn censure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in turn soured his relations with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Update #1: Following a successful test series David’s Sling to become operational this year -- Defense Update
Update #2: Israel successfully tests US-backed missile shield -- Deutsche Welle

Will Activating Israel's Missile Defense Be The Time That Israel Strike's Iran's Nuclear Facilities?

Below: X-Band Radar placed under a weather protective dome. (Photo: Raytheon )

Israel Finds Strength in Its Missile Defenses -- Washington Post

Advanced System Could Alter Strategic Decisions in Region

ASHKELON, Israel -- As it pushes for international action against Iran's nuclear program, Israel is steadily assembling one of the world's most advanced missile defense systems, a multi-layered collection of weapons meant to guard against a variety of threats, including the shorter-range Grads used to strike Israeli towns like this one and intercontinental rockets.

The effort, partly financed by the United States and incorporating advanced American radar and other technology, has been progressing quietly for two decades. But Israeli defense and other analysts say it has now reached a level of maturity that could begin changing the nature of strategic decisions in the region.

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My Comment: I am sure that these missile defense systems are being looked at by Israeli political and military leaders as an important component in their plans to attack Iran. It will not make sense for them to implement any action against Iran until these systems are online. After they are online .... I am sure that is when anything becomes possible.

Israeli Missile-Defense Test Aborted

This file photo, taken on Friday Dec. 2, 2005, released by Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., shows an Arrow missile being launched at an undisclosed location in Israel. Israeli defense officials say three tests in the U.S. of the missile defense system meant to shield Israel from Iranian attack have been aborted over the past week. (AP Photo/Israel Aircraft Industries, File)

From Yahoo News/AP:

JERUSALEM – Tests of a missile-defense system meant to shield Israel from Iranian attack were aborted over the past week on three occasions because of various malfunctions, Israeli defense officials said Thursday.

In the latest case, an upgraded version of the Arrow II — a system being developed by state-run Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. and Chicago-based Boeing Co. — was tested off the coast of California on Wednesday, they said.

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More News On This Missile Defense Test

Israel says technical hitch halts US missile test -- AFP
Problems prevent US Arrow launch test -- Jerusalem Post
Arrow Missile Test Failure Leaves Israel Exposed to Iran, Syria -- Arutz Sheva
Arrow II fails takeoff in Pacific test - setback for Israel's missile race with Iran -- Debka File
Israeli missile interceptor tested on U.S. range -- Reuters
Israeli Arrow Weapon System Tested for Interoperability with US Missile Defence Systems -- Def Pro
ANALYSIS / Iran can rejoice at failure of Israel's missile defense -- Haaretz

My Comment: This is a disappointment, but there will be more tests, successes, and failures.

Iron Dome To Be Deployed In 2010

Patriot batteries in Haifa (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

From The Jerusalem Post:

Israel will have operational missile defense systems on three different levels within four years, Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan predicted Wednesday.

Speaking at a conference on missile defense at the Fischer Brothers Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, in Herzliya, Nehushtan said that the Iron Dome system, designed to intercept Kassam and Katyusha rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, would be operational and deployed along the border in 2010.

A second system, called David's Sling and under development by Rafael and Raytheon to intercept medium-range rockets, would be operational within four years, he said. Shortly afterwards, the Arrow 3 - an advanced version of the current long-range system in IAF operation - would be declared operational.

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My Comment: It is interesting that the American media, a number of politicians (President Obama included), and a slew of analysts and "experts" have been telling us for years that such programs are a waste of monies and time and that they will not work .... but it appears that the Israelis have the complete opposite point of view.

I also find the altitudes completely opposite. The Israeli Airforce Commander wants to do more and is looking for ways to enhance anti-missile security for Israel .... while our leaders are .... well .... you get the drift.