Israel Successfully Tests Advanced Missile Defense System

Israel has announced the successful testing of an advanced missile defense system capable of countering ballistic missile threats outside the atmosphere. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli Ministry of Defense stated that the successful test of the "Arrow 3" interceptor represents a "major milestone" in Israel's ability to defend itself against current and future threats in the region. This news comes just days after Israel reported that it had thwarted an Iranian missile attack from Syrian territory. "Arrow 3" is part of a multi-layered defense system designed to protect Israel from short-range and medium-range missiles launched from Gaza and Lebanon, as well as long-range missiles from Iran. The system includes several components known as "Iron Dome," "David's Sling," and "Arrow 2". This multi-layered system was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and the American giant Boeing and became operational in January 2017. Israel has previously operationalized "Arrow" missiles to counter Syrian missiles. The test of this system with "out-of-atmosphere" capability comes after the U.S. and Israel expressed concern over Iran's recent satellite launch vehicle test. On January 15, Iran announced that it had sent the "Payam" satellite into space using the Simorgh rocket, but this launch "failed in the third stage" and the satellite ultimately did not reach orbit. The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations described the launch of the Payam satellite as a "violation of Security Council Resolution 2231" and called on members of this body to prevent Iran's "missile threats." The news of the new test is also released amid growing Israeli concerns about the Islamic Republic's "military presence" in Syria and its neighborhood, which Israel is actively suppressing. In recent months, Israel has repeatedly targeted Iranian positions in Syria, and in this context, Gadi Eisenkot, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, stated that the country has attacked "thousands" of Iranian targets in Syria since 2017. In the latest instance, the Israeli army announced on Monday morning that it had targeted the positions of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria. The Israeli army also stated on January 30 that its air defense system intercepted a rocket launched from Syria towards the Golan Heights. Meanwhile, according to the Russian news agency Interfax, the Russian National Defense Control Center reported that Syrian air defense crews managed to destroy "seven Israeli missiles" before they hit the area near the airport southeast of Damascus. This was accomplished using Russian-made "Pantsir" and "Buk" defense systems.