Israel, US carry out missile system test

Israel and the United States have test-fired an advanced ballistic missile system that has received extensive funding and technical assistance from the US.

The upgraded “Arrow 3" ballistic missile system passed a full interception test on Thursday, Israel’s Ministry of Military Affairs said.

The missile system, jointly developed by Boeing and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), could launch rockets capable of flying above the earth's atmosphere.

"The success of the Arrow 3 system today ... is an important step towards one of the most important projects for Israel," said Joseph Weiss, IAI's chief executive officer.

A similar test a year ago failed, but Thursday's test struck its target above the Mediterranean.

The Israeli Ministry of Military Affairs described the test-launch as a turning point in the development of the regime’s military hardware and weaponry.

The Ministry announced that more tests of the same system are planned for the future.

The project to develop the missile system was first launched in 1988 as part of the then-Star Wars program that was abandoned in 1993.

The US currently provides about $3 billion in annual military aid to Israel. The money is separate from the nearly $500 million in annual US funding for Israel’s missile system programs in recent years.

The US government is pressured to serve Israel’s interests due to the influence of the powerful Zionist lobby in the United States. The pro-Israel pressure groups actively work to steer US foreign policy in favor of Israel.

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