Israel completes final missile defence system test

Israel completes final missile defence system test
The final test of a joint US-Israeli missile defence system, due to be delivered to the military next year, comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizballah.
1 min read
21 December, 2015
File Photo: Israeli soldiers patrol the northern Israeli-Lebanon border a day after rockets were fired

Israel has completed the final test of a joint US-Israeli missile defence system before it becomes operational.

The Defence Ministry said Monday that the David's Sling system will be delivered to the military next year.

The test comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hizballah following the killing of Samir Kuntar, a Hizballah fighter.

The group blamed Israel for the killing.

Three rockets fired from Lebanon struck Israel on Sunday, although it was unclear who fired them.

But Israeli defence official, Yair Ramati, claims that the test's timing was unrelated to the tensions.

David's Sling is intended to counter medium-range missiles possessed by enemies throughout the region, most notably Hizballah.

The Lebanese group is believed to possess tens of thousands of rockets and missiles.