Israel completes tests of David's Sling air defense system

Israeli security forces completed a series of training and groundbreaking experiments, which included successful interceptions using the David’s Sling system in complex scenarios simulating advanced threats, after its successful deployment during Operation 'Shield and Arrow'.

Israel’s Air Force, the Defense Ministry, and the Rafael defense company conducted the test to expand the system's capabilities and significantly improve the multi-layer air defense array. The Israeli Aerospace Industry and Elbit Systems also took part, as well as senior U.S. defense officials.

The series of tests included simulations of attacks from ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and drones. The successful interceptions proved the David's Sling system capabilities during a conflict, which has been called a central component of Israel’s air defense systems, including the Arrow, Iron Dome, and the C-Dome.

Operation 'Shield and Arrow', which lasted for five days in May, targeted the infrastructure of Gaza-based terror group Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Six high-ranking members were assassinated and over 400 military positions were dismantled.

"During Operation Shield and Arrow, we witnessed for the first time the operational capabilities of the David's Sling System," the Defense Ministry's Director General, Major General (res.) Eyal Zamir, was quoted in the statement, summarizing the significant step.

"In the challenging activity that has just ended, we witnessed the expanded operational capabilities of the system that prove the qualitative advantage and technological superiority of the State of Israel in general, and in the world of defense missiles in particular, as part of the layered concept that includes the Iron Dome and the Arrow weapons system," Zamir concluded.