By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel’s arms development firm Rafael Advanced Defence Systems unveiled a new missile designed to intercept medium to long-range rockets and missiles, local daily Ha’aretz reported on its website.
The firm introduced the “Stunner” missile Tuesday in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Stunner will be incorporated in a new anti-missile system dubbed Magic Wand, which is intended to intercept missiles with a range of 40-250 km, like Hezbollah’s Zilzal and Fajr missiles.
The development, in conjunction with a Pentagon-backed American company, is expected to cost some 1 billion new Israeli shekels ($263 million), the report said.
The Magic Wand, together with the simultaneously developed Iron Dome anti-ballistic system, will complement the Arrow missile defence system, which intercepts long-range missiles.
The firm informed Olmert about the development and status of the two defence systems, and the continued enhancement that was authorised by the Israeli government last year.
According to the timetable set by the company, the Iron Dome system will be operational and ready for deployment in southern Israel by early 2010. Israeli cabinet approved the purchase of the interception system several weeks ago.