The ministry said the test series incorporated operational lessons learned from recent combat and marked a further technological and operational advancement in the system’s upgrade, following what it described as a proven track record of high performance during the war, including interceptions that saved lives and prevented significant damage. David’s Sling forms a central layer in Israel’s multi-layered air and missile defense architecture alongside the Arrow system, Iron Dome, and the Iron Beam laser system recently delivered to the Israeli Air Force.
Development of the system is led by the Israel Ministry of Defense through IMDO within the Directorate of Defense Research & Development, in cooperation with Israeli defense industries and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Rafael serves as the prime contractor, while the MMR radar is developed by Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, and the command and control center is developed by Elbit Systems.
David’s Sling Weapon System Successfully Completes Complex Test Series as Part of Future Threat Readiness Upgrade
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— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) February 11, 2026
“During the war, and particularly during Operation Rising Lion, IMDO personnel implemented real-time modifications and adaptations that dramatically enhanced the capabilities of the IAF air & missile defense systems, with David’s Sling in particular. As part of our planned development programs, we conducted an extensive test series to assess future capabilities and the ability to contend with multiple, diverse threats. The series concluded with complete success, enabling a significant upgrade to the State of Israel’s air and missile defense architecture,” said Moshe Patel, Director of IMDO.
“Against the backdrop of ever-evolving threats, Rafael is proud to successfully conclude the advanced test series of the David’s Sling system, which incorporated new capabilities across a wide range of challenging scenarios. The system undergoes continuous upgrades and adaptations, and the current test series once again demonstrates that David’s Sling is one of the world’s leading air defense systems. I would like to thank the employees of Rafael for their ongoing dedication to the security of the State of Israel, which is especially evident in this project, and to our partners at the IMDO, the U.S. MDA, and the IAF for their role in this success,” said Yoav Tourgeman, Chief Executive Officer of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
