March 28, 2024

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The David’s Sling air defense system was used for the first time

The David’s Sling air defense system was used for the first time

Two military sources said that Israel for the first time deployed its medium-range anti-aircraft missile defense system, known as David’s Sling, which was successfully deployed in operations during today’s cross-border fighting with Gaza Strip militants.

The military did not immediately provide further details about the system’s use during the cross-border exchange of fire, when Palestinians fired some 270 rockets into Israeli territory, which launched air strikes along the Palestinian enclave.

David’s Sling, a system designed to shoot down missiles launched from 100km to 200km away, is part of Israel’s anti-aircraft defense which also includes the short-range Iron Dome and the long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3.

Israel has made extensive use of the Iron Dome system to intercept rockets fired into Gaza by Palestinian militants, and Arrow missiles have been deployed as part of Israel’s preparation for a possible Iranian missile threat.

The David’s Sling, an anti-aircraft system also known as the “Magic Wand”, jointly developed and manufactured by the state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd and the American company Raytheon Co, is also designed to intercept cruise missiles.