The Iron Dome missile interceptor. Photo: IDF.

JNS.org – A new missile interceptor developed for the Iron Dome defense system has been successfully tested, the Israeli Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The new interceptor, named Tamir, was tested by the Defense Ministry’s Homa Directorate, which oversees the development of Israel’s missile defense systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which produced the interceptor.

The routine tests were part of the anti-rocket system’s ongoing developments and upgrade, the ministry said.

“We’ve successfully completed a series of complex tests….Together with David’s Sling, this significantly enhances Israel’s air defenses against short- and mid-range missiles,” Homa Directorate Director Moshe Patel said.

Iron Dome, designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells, is part of Israel’s four-tiered air defense apparatus, including the David’s Sling system, which counters medium-to-long-range rockets and missiles; the Arrow 2 short- and medium-range ballistic missile interceptor; and the Arrow 3 long-range missile interceptor, which is in the last leg of its development.

Tamir includes components produced as part of a manufacturing deal signed between Israel and the US in 2014, which involved the US Missile Defense Agency and American defense contractor, Raytheon in the development of the Iron Dome.