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Israel successfully test-fires multiple arrow anti-missile
Palmachim, Jan 05: Israel today carried out its most ambitious test of the arrow anti-missile system, simulating the firing of several interceptors at once at incoming rockets in what was described as a dress rehearsal for a possible attack by Iraq.
Palmachim, Jan 05: Israel today carried out its most
ambitious test of the arrow anti-missile system, simulating
the firing of several interceptors at once at incoming rockets
in what was described as a dress rehearsal for a possible
attack by Iraq.
Israel radio reported that the test was successful, but
army radio said the test results were still being evaluated.
During the test, a single missile contrail rose from the Palmachim Air Base, south of Tel Aviv, over the Mediterranean Sea. Israel TV's military correspondent said only one actual arrow missile was launched, and then three dummy missiles were fired in a test of the launchers. The test, reportedly conducted in the presence of American experts, was seen as a signal to Saddam Hussein that any missile strike could be thwarted by the high-tech system.
Israel believes Iraq may try to attack the Jewish state with scud missiles in response to an anticipated US military campaign against Saddam as Iraq did in the 1991 Gulf War, when it fired 39 scud missiles with conventional explosive warheads at Israel, causing damage but few casualties.
Israelis have been displaying growing concern over the possibility of an Iraqi attack, and a successful arrow test might help allay fears. A failure, on the other hand, could increase them. Before the test, air force commander Maj Gen Dan Haltz told army radio that the Iraqi capability of hitting Israel is ``limited, very limited,'' but he added, ``of course, we have to be prepared for surprises, things we didn't think about.''
The arrow is a significant improvement, Israel says, over the US-made patriot missile, which intercepts missiles at a lower altitude.
Bureau Report
During the test, a single missile contrail rose from the Palmachim Air Base, south of Tel Aviv, over the Mediterranean Sea. Israel TV's military correspondent said only one actual arrow missile was launched, and then three dummy missiles were fired in a test of the launchers. The test, reportedly conducted in the presence of American experts, was seen as a signal to Saddam Hussein that any missile strike could be thwarted by the high-tech system.
Israel believes Iraq may try to attack the Jewish state with scud missiles in response to an anticipated US military campaign against Saddam as Iraq did in the 1991 Gulf War, when it fired 39 scud missiles with conventional explosive warheads at Israel, causing damage but few casualties.
Israelis have been displaying growing concern over the possibility of an Iraqi attack, and a successful arrow test might help allay fears. A failure, on the other hand, could increase them. Before the test, air force commander Maj Gen Dan Haltz told army radio that the Iraqi capability of hitting Israel is ``limited, very limited,'' but he added, ``of course, we have to be prepared for surprises, things we didn't think about.''
The arrow is a significant improvement, Israel says, over the US-made patriot missile, which intercepts missiles at a lower altitude.
Bureau Report