From Eyeing future threats, Israel completes ‘complex’ tests with medium-range air defense system
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
As part of “upgrading readiness for future threats,” the Defense Ministry says it successfully completed a series of “complex” tests with the David’s Sling medium-range air defense system.
David’s Sling, produced by defense firm Rafael, is designed to intercept rockets, missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and UAVs.
The ministry says the series of tests was based on “operational lessons” learned from the war, and included a “range of challenging scenarios in line with existing and evolving threats.”
“The success of the tests constitutes an additional technological and operational breakthrough in upgrading the system, which demonstrated high performance capabilities during the war with successful interceptions that saved lives and prevented significant damage,” it says.
David’s Sling, operational in Israel since 2017, forms the middle tier of Israel’s multi-layer air defense capabilities, which also include the short-range Iron Beam and Iron Dome, and a top tier of Arrow systems to engage long-range ballistic missiles.
David's Sling Weapon System Successfully Completes Complex Test Series as Part of Future Threat Readiness Upgrade
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— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) February 11, 2026
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