Successful Arrow II test could mean continued U.S. funding

Israel's successful test Tuesday of the upgraded Arrow II anti-ballistic missile system has made defense officials hopeful that the United States will continue funding the system, which is designed to defend against possible ballistic missile attacks by Iran and Syria.

The Arrow missile launched Tuesday intercepted a Blue Sparrow missile simulating the flight path of an Iranian Shahab-3 ballistic missile over the Mediterranean. It was the first test of an upgraded Arrow missile combined with new radar - the X-band radar the United States installed in the Negev eight months ago - and a new command and control system.

"There was a successful test today of an improved Arrow that hit and intercepted a target more complicated than normal," Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters after watching the launch from a helicopter.

The project is jointly funded by Israel and the United States to serve as a strategic shield against ballistic missiles in the arsenals of Iran and Syria.

Israeli defense officials have recently been concerned that cuts in the U.S. defense budget, along with Pentagon unwillingness to fund a project that does not employ American workers, could harm the future of the Arrow. The Arrow III - which is expected to have the capability of intercepting a ballistic missile at an early stage of its flight path, allowing for the possibility of more attempts at interception if the first one fails - is under development, but without U.S. funding, it will be difficult to continue developing the missile system upgrade. However, in recent weeks top Israeli defense officials have been informed by their American counterparts that there are no plans underway to cut funding for the Arrow system.

Tuesday's test was the first time the intercepting missile was required to select the primary threat among multiple incoming missiles. The intercepting missile destroyed the target missile by exploding when it got very close to the target. It was the 11th test of the entire anti-ballistic system.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Milo, who is responsible for Israel's air defense network, described the test as "a step up in capabilities."

The Arrow III is expected to have a range three times greater than the Arrow I, which Israel still uses, and is supposed to be able to counter both future Shahab upgrades and any long-range ballistic missiles that North Korea may sell to Iran.

Israel is also developing the Magic Wand missile defense system to intercept intermediate-range missiles, while the Iron Dome defense system, meant to protect against low-range missiles and rockets like the Qassams fired from the Gaza Strip, is expected to become operational by next year.

The United States is not interested in procuring the Arrow for itself because it does not meet its defense requirements. However, the Pentagon is considering deploying the Magic Wand defense system in Afghanistan.