2009 Annual Defence Report: The Middle East and Africa

In view of the burgeoning threat of rockets being developed and deployed in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is developing a five-tiered missile defense structure. To defeat rockets with ranges of between four and 70 km, Jerusalem is developing the Rafael Iron Dome, deployment of which is scheduled to commence in 5/2010. To counter threats of rockets and ballistic missiles covering a 40-250-km range, Israel is working on David's Sling, with the maiden interception test slated for late 2010 and initial operational capability (IOC) foreseen in 2013. The next tier involves the Patriot PAC-3, which can shoot down ballistic missiles over a 500-km range. The upper tiers revolve around the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3. The former can intercept ballistic missiles out to 3,000 km, and the latter out to 5,000 km.