Arrow Intercepts Iranian Missile in Test

Israel’s Arrow anti-ballistic missile successfully intercepted a target simulating an Iranian Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile in a test over the Mediterranean on December 2, 2005. The interception was conducted at a record low altitude, considered below the system’s performance envelope

“We have never before tried the Arrow against the Shahab characteristics, but we know now that we are capable of intercepting all existing ballistic missile threats in the region, whether conventional or non-conventional, and we are developing capabilities to deal with future threats,” said Director of the Israel Missile Defence Organisation Arieh Herzog.

Following the interception, the Israeli Air Force’s MIM-104 Patriot low- to high-altitude air-defence batteries joined the test, simulating an additional interception at lower altitude. Israel’s ballistic missile defence concept is based on a two-tier layered defence in which the Arrow constitutes the higher layer and the Patriot an additional, lower layer.

The Arrow II Block 3 interceptor is manufactured jointly by Israel Aircraft Industries and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.