Israel's Defence Ministry tests anti-missile system

Israel's Defence Ministry said a joint exercise with US forces has successfully tested the Arrow anti-missile system for the first time.

The system is meant to defend Israel from the threat of an Iranian strike. The ministry said today that the test was "a major milestone in the development of the Arrow 3 Weapon System". The Arrow is produced jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries and Chicago-based Boeing.

It detects an incoming missile and destroys it with a second missile. Iran's Shahab ballistic missile can carry a nuclear warhead and has a range of 1,250 miles, putting Israel well within range.

The Arrow is part of Israel's multi-layered shield designed to intercept rockets and missiles. Israel sees Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme as an existential threat.

AP