Israel claims successful test of upgraded "Arrow" missile defense system

Xinhua News Agency, Jerusalem, August 5 (Reporter Pang Xinyi, Feng Guorui) The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on the 5th that Israel successfully tested the upgraded "Arrow" missile defense system on the same day.

The Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that this test is part of the system's upgrade plan and was conducted at a testing site in central Israel. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the Israeli military, and Israel Aerospace Industries participated in the test. The statement did not mention specific details of the test.

Videos circulating on social media showed that some Israeli citizens captured what appeared to be white smoke trails left by an air defense interceptor in the sky. According to a report by the "New News" website, the interception test caused "brief panic" among local residents.

Public information shows that the "Arrow" missile defense system is a long-range defense system that forms part of Israel's multi-layered missile defense architecture. Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated that Israel is continuously enhancing the performance of the "Arrow" missile defense system and will continue to invest in the development of defense systems while strengthening offensive capabilities. Senior Israeli Defense Ministry official Amir Baram said that the stockpile of Israeli air defense interceptors is "constantly increasing."

Since the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, Israel and several U.S. military bases in the Middle East have been subjected to retaliatory attacks from Iran. According to recent reports from U.S. media, the U.S. has consumed a large number of air defense interceptors during military operations against Iran. CNN reported on the 4th that the U.S. military has used nearly 80% of its "THAAD" missile defense system missile stockpile and about half of its "Patriot" air defense system interceptors in the conflict with Iran.