Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel, amid increasing threat from the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah, has sought to enhance capabilities of its Arrow-2 ballistic missile defense system.

On Sept. 9, Israel reported an interception test of the Arrow-2, designed to stop enemy missiles in the medium tier of the atmosphere.

Over the last year, Israel has sought to enhance its BMD architecture amid the introduction of new Iranian-origin missiles and rockets in Lebanon and Syria. The weapons included the Scud-B, Iranian-origin Fatah-110 and the Syrian-origin M-302, the latter fired into Israel by Hamas during the war in July and August 2014.

The Israel Missile Defense Organization said the test over the Mediterranean Sea marked an improved version of the BMD system.

“An Arrow 2 missile was launched and performed its flight sequence as planned,” IMDO, part of the Defense Ministry, said. “The results are being analyzed by program engineers.”

The IMDO statement provided no details, particularly that of the target missile and the reason for the launch. Later, a Defense Ministry official said the interception, scheduled to have taken place a month earlier, was meant to assess the Block 4.1 variant of Arrow-2.

“The test results have no effect on the Israeli operational systems capability to cope with the existing threats in the region,” IMDO said.

“This test was an improved version of the joint U.S.-Israel AWS, intended to counter future threats.”

Officials said Arrow-2 tracked the target missile from the interceptor. They said the target was meant to simulate longer-range missiles than during previous tests.

Officials said Arrow-2 was deployed in the 50-day war with the Gaza Strip. They said the latest enhancements would enable Arrow-2 to intercept heavy rockets, such as those supplied to Hamas and Hizbullah. Israel’s plans to deploy David’s Sling, designed to intercept long-range rockets, have been delayed by budget and technical difficulties.

Israel and the United States have also developed the Arrow-3, meant to destroy missiles in the exoatmosphere. Israel reported a successful test of Arrow-3 in January 2014.

“[It] is expected to become operational only around 2016,” IMDO said.

  Block 4.1 variant of Arrow-2, Israel Missile Defense Organization, Israel prepares for new Hizbullah missiles from Iran with improved Arrow-2