REUTERS-Israel's upgraded ballistic missile shield became operational on
Wednesday, in a "Star Wars"-like extension of its capabilities to
outer space where incoming
missiles can be safely destroyed.
The Defence Ministry said the U.S.-funded Arrow 3 system, jointly
developed by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and U.S. firm Boeing Co. (BA.N),
was handed over the Israeli Air Force.
The Arrow 3, together with the Arrow 2, which has been operational since
2000, would "significantly reduce the possibilities of ballistic
missiles" hitting Israel, the ministry said in a statement.
The Arrow 2 is designed to intercept projectiles high and low within the
atmosphere. Arrow 3 missiles will fly into space, where their warheads detach
to become "kamikaze" satellites that track and slam into their
targets.
Such high-altitude shoot-downs are meant to safely destroy incoming
nuclear, biological or chemical missiles. Israel has frequently voiced concern
about a ballistic missile threat posed by its arch-foe, Iran.
The United States has its own system for intercepting ballistic missiles
in space, Aegis.
Arrow serves as the top tier of an integrated Israeli shield built up to
withstand various potential missile or rocket salvoes. The bottom tier is the
already-deployed short-range Iron Dome interceptor, which was used extensively
with high success rates in a 2014 Gaza war against Hamas militants.
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