Israel adopts new medium-range anti-missile defense system
On Sunday, April 2, at the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Air Base in Hatzor, the medium range anti-missile system David’s Sling became operational, NewsRu Israel reports. The ceremony was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Chief of the General Staff Gadi Eizenkot, Air Force Commander Amir Eshel, US Missile Defense Agency Director James Syring and IAF Commander General-Major Zvika Haimovich.
The system, also known as “Magic Wand”, is part of the mid-range tier of the Israeli anti-missile defense system. It was developed by the American corporation Raytheon and the Israeli concern Rafael. The Multi Mission Radar was developed by ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
In the morning at the weekly government session, Benjamin Netanyahu announced that during the course of the day the Magic Wand anti-missile system would become operational. He called this “important news for all Israelis”. “During the last operation in Gaza, all citizens of Israel experienced the significant achievement of the ‘Iron Dome’ system against short range missiles. We also developed the Arrow system against long-range strategic missiles. ‘Magic Wand’ is a medium-range system, which has great significance for the safety of Israel, and I want to commend the staff of the Ministry of Defense, the IDF, the R&D and everyone else who worked to make this system operational,” the Prime Minister said.