Israel beating Iran in arms race

Israel is keeping ahead of arch-foe Iran in the ballistic arms race, Israel’s deputy defense minister said. Following a successful nighttime test of the Arrow II anti-missile system, Israel can cope with the threat posed by Iran’s long-range Shehab missiles, Ephraim Sneh said Monday. “Israel is leading for now,” Sneh told Israel Radio. The Defense Ministry announced Sunday that the Arrow, the world’s only operational ballistic counter-missile system, had passed its 15th test. The launch was carried out from the Palmahim air base. Defense sources voiced satisfaction with the performance of the Arrow, which would be Israel’s main bulwark against Iran’s long-range missiles in any future war. The Arrow has now passed 13 of its 15 tests.Israel is believed to have a long-range strategic arm in its Jericho II missiles, which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.