IAF Air Defense Command began the first training course for soldiers who will be operating the new David’s Sling missile defense system. Photo: United States Missile Defense Agency.

JNS.org – The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) Air Defense Command has launched the first training course for soldiers who will be operating the new David’s Sling missile-interception system.

Training will be led by the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Homa Directorate, which oversees the missile defense program, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Missile Defense Agency and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the lead contractor for the project.

The training course will be six months long. David’s Sling is designed to intercept medium-to-long-range missiles, fired at ranges of 25-186 miles. Once operational, it is expected to be an important tool in protecting Israel against the Hezbollah terror group.

Together with the Iron Dome and Arrow systems, David’s Sling is part of Israel’s multi-faceted missile defense program. Iron Dome intercepts short-range rockets and artillery shells, while Arrow features long-range missile interceptors. Israel’s defense establishment hopes that David’s Sling will be delivered to the IAF in early 2016.