Arrow Missile Test Failure Leaves Israel Exposed to Iran, Syria

Israel National News ^ | July 23, 2009 | Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

[Tzvi INN.com]

The upgraded Arrow missile defense system failed an important test off the western coast of the United States Thursday, leaving Israel defenseless against long-range Iranian and Syrian missiles. The missile that was to destroy an oncoming missile was not launched because of “interceptor problems” resulting from failures in the communications system.

[CurlyDave]

One interceptor failure does not mean Israel is defenseless, or even that there are major problems with the system.

It just means something has to be fixed.

[GeronL]

Hogwash. The systems in Israel are still the other type that can shoot down aircraft right? Its not like they upgraded all of them before they tested it.

[Gator113]

It seems to me that this is something that they might not have wanted advertised.

[sheik yerbouty]

It could be their way of “playing possum..”

[catbertz]

That’s what I was thinking. Suuure it doesn’t work *wink wink

[Colorado Cowgirl]

Israel doesn’t really need ground launched anti-aircraft missiles. Name me one country in the world stupid enough to attack Israel from the air? If they do, they can come pickup there aircraft; scattered all over the country. Shot down by the best Air Force in the world, bar none.

[JasonC]

The last time the IAF faced enemy aircraft was 27 years ago. Pilot careers aren't remotely that long. No one has any idea how well or badly the current crop would perform. They can make milk runs to drop bombs, that much we know from Lebanon and Gaza.

The threat is actually from smuggled nukes anyway, with Iranian missiles as a second strike deterrent also important. Iran can have nuclear capability within a year if they want it, and they do.

The US should long since have taken out Iranian nuclear facilities. Since it hasn't, Israel should, oh about yesterday. They haven't either, and there is precious little sign they intend to try.

The bottom line is Iran is going to get nukes and everyone is going to stand and watch looking stupid and passing the blame around to each other. Like that matters.

[rawcatslyentist]

sandbag?

[Jack Hammer]

Not a problem; the foreign policy of the Obama administration is predicated on the destruction of Israel and the annihilation of all Israeli Jews.

[2001convSVT]

Missile defense is not a guarantee, it is a last chance/hope to stop an enemy missile attack. Israel must consider this if Iran launches nuclear tipped (or chemical/bio) against them. The question Israel must ask itself is how much faith do they have in stopping a missile attack or would it be better to prevent your enemy from having a missile capability in the first place?

[dervish]

exactly

[SunkenCiv]

The upgraded Arrow missile defense system failed an important test off the western coast of the United States Thursday, leaving Israel defenseless against long-range Iranian and Syrian missiles. The missile that was to destroy an oncoming missile was not launched because of "interceptor problems" resulting from failures in the communications system.

Headline problem.