Israel’s Multi-layer Defense System Nears Full Completion

March 22, 2017

by: Ilse Posselt

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 | The story of a young shepherd from the fields of Bethlehem who turned into Israel’s beloved poet king needs no introduction. The Tanakh (Gen.–Mal.) is, after all, filled with the tales of King David’s bravery and heroism on behalf of his people. The most celebrated of these is arguably the account of a young David, armed with his sling and five stones, triumphant over the giant Goliath on behalf of the armies of Israel.

Today, David’s Sling is once again featured in Israel’s arsenal; this time as a revolutionary new air defense system, capable of intercepting medium-range missiles or other guided threats. And after passing its final round of tests late in 2015, this anti-missile battery will be ready for operational use within the next two weeks.

David’s Sling was designed as the final level of Israel’s multi-layered air defense system. The Iron Dome short-range rocket interceptor saved countless lives during 2014’s Operation Protective Edge when Hamas fired nearly 5,000 rockets and mortars at Israeli civilians. Last week, the Jewish state’s long-range ballistic air defense system, Arrow 3, proved its mettle under fire when it neutralized a Syrian missile carrying a payload of 200kg [441 lbs] of explosives heading for the Jordan Valley. As a medium-range interceptor, David’s Sling will now fill the middle tier between the Iron Dome and the Arrow 3, completing what The Jerusalem Post hails as a “comprehensive protective umbrella” securing the skies of Israel.

The Jewish state is situated in one of the most volatile neighborhoods on earth surrounded by neighbors eager to spearhead her destruction. Moreover, those who wish to annihilate the people of the Promised Land are equipped with a varied arsenal, ranging from state-of-the-art long-range missiles to short-range rockets. It thus stands to reason that Israel should possess a defensive offering capable of facing the diverse threats.

The Iron Dome system counters the danger posed by Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups operating from Gaza and firing rockets at a range of up to 75km [46.6 mi]. David’s Sling is geared towards the danger that Hezbollah, the Lebanese terror organization, poses on Israel’s northern border. The system can neutralize tactical ballistic missiles and medium-range rockets fired at ranges of up to 300km [186 mi]. The Arrow-3 was designed in answer to Iran’s highly sophisticated long-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads. The system can intercept targets outside the earth’s atmosphere close to the launching point.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah recently boasted that the terror organization possesses an arsenal of missiles capable of striking any target throughout Israel. According to a senior Israel Defense Force (IDF) officer, David’s Sling empowers the Israeli army to protect a larger portion of the nation and its citizens against such dangers. “The addition of David’s Sling has brought Israel’s air-defense systems to a whole new level,” the officer told The Jerusalem Post. “We are now able to protect more of the country from aerial threats.”

A joint Israeli-US project, David’s Sling is developed and manufactured both by the Jewish state’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and America’s Raytheon Co.

The IDF has already drafted a number of soldiers to train on and ultimately operate the David’s Sling batteries. Coming from a number of disciplines, all the soldiers have experience with other air-defense systems.

Posted on March 22, 2017

Source: (Bridges for Peace, 22 March 2017)

Photo Credit: Public Domain/ Wikipedia

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