Article Posted on : - Jul 20, 2010

File photo of a rocket fired from the Iron Dome system during a test in southern Israel. Photo: Israeli Defense Ministry.

JERUSALEM (BNS): Israel has successfully completed the Iron Dome air defence system tests, as reported by the Israeli Defense Ministry.

According to a news report by RIA Novosti, the final tests of the Israeli air defence system designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells were successfully carried out on Monday.

The ministry is expecting to deploy the first Iron Dome interceptor missile by November.

"Israel will deploy in November its anti-missile system designed to combat threats from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon," the defence ministry was quoted as saying in the report.

An Israel Air Force artillery battalion has been assigned and dedicated to operate the Iron Dome in the field.

Iron Dome, developed by Rafael, is designed to defend Israeli towns and cities against short-range missiles, rockets and artillery. In recent years, such attacks have primarily come from the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and from Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.