Israel tested an advanced version of the U.S.-supplied Patriot missile.
Israel’s state-run arms firm Rafael announced Wednesday that it had successfully tested an improved Patriot PAC-2 against aerial infiltration. During Tuesday’s test, the system shot down a dummy aircraft meant to resemble an enemy warplane.
The Patriot can also engage incoming ballistic missiles, and is being incorporated in a multi-layered air defense apparatus designed jointly by the Israeli government and the Pentagon.
The United States supplied Israel with Patriot batteries during the 1991Persian Gulf War, but they proved to be of little use against Iraqi Scud missiles. The Patriot has since been improved and was deployed in Israel during the 2003 Gulf war.
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