Over the weekend Israel successfully tested the latest piece in its national missile shield: David's Sling.
Developed jointly by Israeli and American defense contractors, David's Sling is capable of downing medium-range projectiles and cruise missiles. In the recent test, the two-stage interceptor destroyed an incoming medium-range missile fired over Israel's southern Negev region.
David's Sling fills the gap between Israel's short-range Iron Dome anti-missile system (which performed so well during the recent Gaza war) and the long-range Arrow system.
When all three systems are fully operational, they will provide a near complete missile shield for the Jewish state.
David's Sling in particular is being touted as an effective defense against Hizallah's large arsenal of missiles in southern Lebanon. It can also act as a back-up for any Iranian missiles missed by the Arrow system.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said at the David's Sling test that a multi-layered missile defense has become a top priority for Israel:
"The major success of Iron Dome batteries in Operation Pillar of Defense clarifies beyond all doubt the huge importance of missile defense programs. The State of Israel is a world leader in this field, thanks to its Israeli defense industries and their people."