By Itzhak Rabihiya
Israel and the US successfully conducted tests of the advanced anti-ballistic missile system "Arrow-3," the Israeli Defence Ministry said on Sunday.
Israel's Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Benjamin Netanyahu said today, 28.7.2019 that: "in recent weeks, we have carried out three pioneering secret experiments of the Arrow-3 missile. These experiments were held in Alaska, in full cooperation with our great ally the US. They were successful beyond any imagination".
Netanyahu added that "today Israel can act against ballistic missiles that could be launched against us from Iran or anywhere else. This is a great achievement for the security of Israel. All of our enemies should know that we will overcome them in both defence and offence".
The Arrow system is a family of anti-ballistic missiles designed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and manufactured by the IAI and the US top aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company. IANS
Netanyahu added "They were successful beyond any imagination. The Arrow 3 – with complete success – intercepted ballistic missiles beyond the atmosphere at unprecedented altitudes and speeds. The execution was perfect – all precise hits. Today Israel has the ability to act against ballistic missiles that could be launched against us from Iran or anywhere else. This is a great achievement for the security of Israel.
"I would like to make it clear here that metal hit metal; it was not just a proximity detonation. The missile hit the missile all three times. I would like to express deep and strong appreciation for advancing our joint security.
US Ambassador David Friedman said: "On behalf of President Trump and the Trump administration, I just would like to tell you how delighted we were with the successful results of the test of the Arrow 3 missile system, a critical element of Israel's missile defense. The results were extraordinary. We're very proud of our partnership with the State of Israel, the funding that we provided for this, the technical expertise that we added, obviously making our airspace available for this test over Alaska. This is an extraordinary and an unprecedented example of the cooperation between our two great countries and from here may we continue to go upward and onward in making the world a safer place."
Attached photo credit: Kobi Gideon (GPO)
