Arnon Ben-Dror
Israel's Ministry of Defense and the United States Department of Defense signed a deal on Sunday evening (July 25) to develop the Arrow 3 anti-missile system, integrating Israel's anti-missile systems. The Arrow 3 will make it possible for Israel to intercept long-range ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction from outside the atmosphere.
The agreement was signed by Brig. Gen. Ofir Shoham, head of the Ministry of Defense Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (MAFAT), and by Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, head of the US Missile Defense Agency.
The new interceptor will complete Israel's anti-missile multilayered capacity, which includes the Iron Dome, the David’s Sling, and the Arrow. The Iron Dome is a defense system against short-range missiles and rockets which will be operational by November after it recently successfully passed final tests. The David’s Sling system is intended to intercept mid-range missiles. Finally, the Arrow system is a defense system against long-range ballistic missiles and missiles carrying atomic warheads.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense reported that the deal continues a long and successful history of cooperation between Israel and the US in the field of anti-missile technology.