Israel successfuly tests Arrow missile

JERUSALEM, Feb 12 (Reuters) Israel successfully conducted a new test of its Arrow anti-missile missile system, the country's main's bulwark against a possible attack by Iran's long-range weapons, Israel's defence minister said.

''This evening's successful test reinforces Israel's readiness ... (it was intended to examine the missile's ability) against external threats at the extremes of its operational envelope,'' Defence Minister Amir Peretz said in a statement.

The statement said that all the missile's systems performed in operational mode according to plan.

A security source said the test examined the missile's ability to intercept targets at a faster speed and at a higher altitude.

The source added that 13 of the 15 Arrow tests Israel has held over the years have been deemed successful.

The Arrow II guided missile system is intended to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles at atmospheric altitudes. It is considered Israel's main defence against a possible attack by Iran's long-range Shehab missiles.

Media reports said the missile, the first to be launched at night, intercepted a target intended to simulate an incoming long-range ballistic missile over the eastern Mediterranean.

A senior Israeli military officer told the YNet news Web site that the test's success proved Israel had made ''significant advances'' in its efforts to deal with possible threats.

The system, developed and funded jointly with the United States, first became operational in 1999 and was deployed in Israel the following year.

The Arrow is part of Israel's long-term strategy to create a missile shield to counter attacks of various missile ranges.

Last summer's Lebanon war exposed the shortcomings of Israel's offensive military tactics and sharpened domestic concern about how the country would fare in any future showdown with arch-foe Iran and its Shehabs.

Earlier this month an Israeli arms firm received government approval to develop a system that would shoot down short-range rockets of the kind favoured by Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas and Palestinian militants.

REUTERS DKS BST0532