Israel inaugurates medium-range missile interceptor

Israel inaugurated on Sunday a joint U.S.-Israeli missile interceptor, called David's Sling, concluding the Jewish state's multi-tier aerial defense system.

David's Sling, designed to intercept medium-range missiles owned by the Iran-backed Hezbollah organization in southern Lebanon, was unveiled in a ceremony in the Hatzor air force base in central Israel.

In the ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israel's enemies not to test its military capabilities. "Whoever tries to strike us will be hit. Those that threaten our existence put themselves in existential danger," he said.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the new system is indispensable for Israel's security.

"There is no alternative to this system," Lieberman said. "Thanks to this system, we will be able to deal with our enemies, which we unfortunately have," he said.

The system, jointly developed by Israel and the U.S.-based Raytheon Co., has passed its fifth and final testing on January 25.

The system would close a gap between Iron Dome system, meant to counter short-range rockets from the Gaza Strip, and the long-range Arrow-3 anti-missiles system.

Israel last fought Lebanon's Shiite militant group of Hezbollah in 2006. Endit