Israel says missile defence drill a success

Israel's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday it successfully conducted a series of live fire drills with its multi-range missile-defence system, providing protection against threats posed by arch-enemy Iran and its proxies. Defence officials said it was the first time they have conducted an integrated test bringing together several systems.

These systems are the "Arrow" system, which intercepts long-range missiles; "David's Sling," meant to shoot down medium-range missiles; and the "Iron Dome," which has been used for years to defend against incoming rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Israel faces a wide range of rocket and missile threats from Palestinian militants in Gaza, from the Iranian-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon, and from Iran.

Officials have expressed concerns about Iran's development of long-range weapons and what they say are Hezbollah attempts to import or develop guided missiles capable of striking virtually anywhere in Israel with great precision.

Israel has developed the three systems in conjunction with the United States and Tuesday's drill was conducted with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, officials said. The test was conducted over the Mediterranean Sea and tested the systems' capability to intercept a range of aerial targets from drones to larger and longer range ballistic missiles.