JERUSALEM, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israel said recently it had completed tests on its David's Sling air defense system, incorporating combat lessons and new capabilities designed to counter cruise missiles, attack drones and simultaneous multi-target barrages.
The Defense Ministry said Tuesday the trials were conducted by its Missile Defense Organization together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a key arms firm.
Rafael said in a statement that the tests examined upgraded capabilities developed following operational experience during the 12-day war with Iran last June, including simulations of current and emerging threats.
"The series concluded with full success and enables a significant upgrade to Israel's air defense array," Moshe Patel, head of the Missile Defense Organization, said in a statement, adding that adjustments made in real time during the war had "dramatically" improved performance.
The move came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, urging the White House to take a firmer stance on Iran.
David's Sling, operational since 2017, forms the middle layer of Israel's missile defense, positioned between the long-range Arrow system and the short-range Iron Dome. It is designed to intercept rockets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. ■
