http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_925000/925574.stm
Thursday, 14 September, 2000, 23:32 GMT 00:32 UK
Israel's missile test 'complete success'
Israel's anti-ballistic Arrow-II missile, which has been
partially funded by the United States, passed a key test
by hitting an incoming target, the defence ministry said.
Officials said the Arrow intercepted a simulated
ballistic missile target launched at the Israeli coast
similar to the Scud missiles that Iraq fired at Israel
during the Gulf War in 1991.
Although the Arrow has had successful tests previously,
this is the first time it has intercepted a small, high-
speed missile head on.
"The Arrow was fired at the target in a stable, precise
manner until it hit and destroyed the target," said
Daniel Peretz, head of the Arrow programme at Israeli
Aircraft Industries.
"If one day we will need it, the system is functioning,"
he told Israel radio. "The system has become
operational."
However, he added that IAI would continue to test the
system regularly and that the next test would take place
in several months.
Israeli defence officials said this test brought the
Arrow-II success rate to seven out of eight tests and
three out of three system tests.
They said initial results showed the Arrow's three main
systems - the missile, the tracking radar and the fire
control mechanism - had performed as planned.
World first
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said the test was "a
vital component in maintaining Israel's deterrent ability
and will make a significant contribution to the state of
Israel's military and strategic strength".
The deployment of the Arrow will make Israel the first
country in the world to have its own anti-ballistic
missile capability.
The test is reported to have been delayed several times
over the past few weeks because of technical problems.
Israel radio said the test was watched by a US Pentagon
missile team and the missile operated "precisely
according to plan".
During the Gulf War, American Patriot anti-missile
missiles were widely used by Israel and other states, but
they were not credited with hitting any incoming Iraqi
Scud.
The Arrow project is expected to cost more than $2bn with
at least half of the funds coming from direct US funding.
Correspondents say critics see the Arrow project as
prohibitively expensive and incapable of stopping large
numbers of incoming enemy missiles.
