Israel activates 'David's Sling' missile interceptors for the first time

In unprecedented move, IDF uses defence system for the first time, following the launch of two surface-to-surface rockets from Syria

Israel for the first time fired the David’s Sling missile defence system, following the launch of two Syrian surface-to-surface missiles.

The missiles, carrying about a half a ton of explosives, fired on Monday morning as part of Syria’s long-running civil war, at first looked likely to land in northern Israel near the Sea of Galilee, which triggered the launch of the medium-range missile defence system.

One of the missiles abruptly changed course and landed in Syrian territory. The second rocket also landed in Syrian territory, according to reports.

The rockets set off Code Red alerts in communities throughout the Golan and northern Israel.

According to Haaretz, one of the Israeli interceptors was self-destructed when it was clear the Syrian missile was not going to enter Israel; the fate of the other interceptor wasn’t reported.

Each David’s Sling interceptor missile costs around £152,000 ($200,000). In the last month, Patriot missiles have been fired twice in order to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, from Syria that entered Israeli airspace.

David’s Sling became operational in Israel in April 2017. It is intended to supplement the Iron Dome system, which targets short-range rockets, and the Arrow system for long-range ballistic missiles.