Article Posted on : - Jan 04, 2014

A graphical presentation of the Arrow 3 missile. A Boeing photo

JERUSALEM (AP): Israel says it has carried out another successful test of its advanced missile defence system designed to intercept long-range missiles.

The Defence Ministry said in a statement that Friday's test is a "major milestone" in the development of the Arrow 3.

Ministry official Yair Ramati said the system was "fully tested," but did not mention specifics. It is designed to strike targets outside the atmosphere, intercepting missiles closer to their launch sites.

It is part of a multilayered system Israel is developing to protect itself from a range of missile threats, from short-range rockets in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon to longer-range threats from Iran.

It is being developed by Israel Aerospace Industries together with US aviation giant Boeing Co.

The system is expected to be operational around 2016.