The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have completed a series of flight experiments of an upgraded version of the Iron Dome air defence system.
The latest development marks a major milestone in the Iron Dome developments.
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According to a statement by Defence Ministry’s spokesperson, the test was conducted at a base in central Israel.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) and navy served as participants in the flight test series.
The new and upgraded Iron Dome air defence system is expected to be delivered to the IAF for operational use.
The weapon system will also be integrated and installed on the Israeli Navy’s Sa’ar 6 corvettes. It will be central to the defence of Israel’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Iron Dome air defence system was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
It is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from 4km to 70km distances.
Iron Dome can operate during day or night and in adverse weather conditions, and ‘can respond to multiple threats simultaneously’.
Furthermore, it features a multi-mission launcher designed to fire a range of interceptor missiles.
In December 2019, the Czech Republic signed a government-to-government agreement to purchase eight ELM-2084 ‘Iron Dome’ multi-mission radars (MMR) from Israel at a cost of $125m.
