Posted on 12/02/2005 10:51:07 AM PST by NormsRevenge
JERUSALEM - Israel carried out a successful test of its Arrow missile defense system on Friday, intercepting and destroying a missile similar to Iran's long-range Shahab-3.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said an effective shield is needed in light of Iran's threats against Israel and efforts to develop non-conventional weapons.
"The state of Israel, which is a clear target of each of these missiles and of the production stations of Iran's non-conventional weapons, reserves the right to have other capabilities to prevent this threat," he said.
The Shahab-3 can be equipped with nuclear warheads, and Tehran has said the missile could reach Israel and various U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
Last month, the European Union accused Iran of having documents that show how to make nuclear warheads, and joined the U.S. in warning Tehran that it could face referral to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.
State-owned Israel Aircraft Industries and U.S.-based Boeing Co. began developing the Arrow system after Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.
The test Friday was carried out at an air force base in central Israel. It was the 14th test of the system, and the first trial since a failed one last year.
Israel considers Iran to be its biggest threat, and doesn't believe Tehran's claims that its nuclear program is peaceful. Israeli concerns were heightened recently after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged that Israel be "wiped off the map."
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he was confident all diplomatic efforts to defuse Iran's nuclear program would be exhausted before military action is taken — but that military capabilities exist.
Asked if any country was considering a strike against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Sharon replied, "I am sure that before anyone goes to take such steps, all attempts will be made to pressure Iran to stop all this activity."
Although Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran will acquire nuclear weapons, it won't lead the fight against the Islamic state's nuclear ambitions, Sharon said.
Meanwhile, the Russian daily Vedomosti reported Friday that Moscow and Tehran have signed an agreement providing for Russia to give Tor-M1 air defense systems to Iran.
The Rosoboronexport state arms export agency said it had no information on the reported deal.
The Interfax news agency said that Russian and Iranian officials signed contracts in November for more than $1 billion. Citing an unidentified source in the Russian military-industrial complex, Interfax said up to 30 Tor-M1 air defense systems would be sent to Tehran in 2006-08.
Interfax said that the Tor-M1 system could identify up to 48 targets and fire at two targets simultaneously at a height of 60 feet to 20,000 feet.
They are going to need them.
Lock and load...
China is watching this closely.
Probably from the telemetry truck.
Too cool! Ping!
Israel must protect herself from Iran, Syria since the Russians continue arming these terrorist Islamic régimes with everything from nuclear hardware to missile systems, see below.
This is great news. This means that the Israelis will be able to defend themselves much more effectively from an Iranian missile attack than depending on the Patriot(PAC-3) missiles as a front line defense. They can use those Patriots as a secondary screen to protect cities like Haifa,Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem in case one gets through. Great news indeed!!
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