David’s Sling Intercepts Ballistic Missile for the First Time in Israel

For the first time, Israel’s ‘David’s Sling’ air defense system has successfully intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile.

The milestone was reported by Doron Kadosh, a military correspondent for Galei Tzahal, the Israeli Army Radio.

According to Kadosh, it marks the first-ever successful interception of a ballistic missile by the David’s Sling system.

Designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, David’s Sling is capable of neutralizing aircraft, helicopters, subsonic cruise missiles, and drones.

Additionally, the system can intercept ballistic missiles launched from distances ranging between 70 and 300 kilometers.

The core of the system is a two-stage interceptor missile equipped with two types of guidance systems — radar and infrared — located in the nose section.

The cost of a single missile is approximately $1 million.

The system is capable of operating in all weather conditions, and the missiles can change their trajectory during flight.

David’s Sling systems were commissioned by the Israel Defense Forces in early 2017.

They became an important component of the country’s multi-layered missile defense system, alongside other systems such as the Iron Dome and Arrow.

In 2023, Finland announced the purchase of the Israeli David’s Sling missile and air defense system.

On June 13, Iranian forces launched a massive strike on Tel Aviv. According to Israeli sources, dozens of ballistic missiles were fired at the city. Prior to this, the Israeli Air Force had carried out strikes on nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow, as well as on missile bases in Kermanshah and Khorramabad.