David’s Sling deliveries begin

Israel’s Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), along with the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), has started making deliveries of major components of the David’s Sling aerial defence system to the Israeli Air Force (IAF), it was announced on 8 March.

Following on from the completion of testing in December 2015, the system will be delivered over the next several weeks.

The first phase of delivery is being carried out by the IMDO with an industry team led by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The first phase will see the delivery of the radar, interception and command and control systems. System components will be tested in the near future, after which the IAF will declare the system operational.

David’s Sling was developed by the IAF and IMDO in collaboration with the MDA. The system, which will serve as a central part of Israel’s multi-layered defence array, will add intercept opportunities for the Arrow aerial defence system and provide an additional layer of protection against medium and short range missiles and rockets - primarily precise strikes.

Rafael is the prime contractor of the David’s Sling. Industry partners Raytheon Missile Systems, Elta, and Elisra are also working on the programme.

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