Joint U.S.-Israel Missile Defense Programs Make Crucial Advancements

February 16, 2017


Israel’s multi-layered defense shield took two major steps forward in the past month. On Jan. 18, Israel declared the long-range Arrow-3 missile defense system operational, and on Jan. 25, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Israel’s Missile Defense Organization successfully conducted a fifth series of tests of the medium-range David’s Sling Weapon System.

Arrow-3 and David’s Sling—both jointly produced by the United States and Israel—are two critical components of Israel’s multi-layered defense shield, which also includes Arrow-2 and Iron Dome. Together, these four systems will help Israel defend itself against complex strategic threats.