Finland to Acquire Israel’s David’s Sling Air Defence System
Finland will buy Israel’s David’s Sling air defence system under an agreement with an estimated value of €317 million.
‘Historic Agreement’ on the Sale of David’s Sling Air Defence System
Director General Eyal Zamir called the sale of David’s Sling air defense system a “historic agreement.’ Finland’s Ambassador to Israel Nina Nordström and Finnish Defense Attaché to Israel Col. Oula Asteljoki attended the signing event.
Other people who attended include Yoav Har-Even (president and CEO of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems), Dr Daniel Gold (head of the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development), Moshe Patel (head of the Israel Missile Defense Organization), and other officials.
“David’s Sling is one of the most advanced systems in the world for intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and drones. The David’s Sling system has demonstrated very high-performance capabilities in war, in a variety of challenging scenarios,” said the Defense Ministry.
David’s Sling is an Israeli air defence system created to defend against short-range ballistic missiles and large-calibre rockets. It has a built-in precision-guided munition that can intercept with ranges between 40 km (25 miles) and 300 km (186 miles). It is part of Israel’s multi-layered missile defence strategy, which also incorporates systems like the Iron Dome and Arrow.
Commonly referred to as the Magic Wand, the air defence system is a joint project between the IMDO within the Israel Ministry of Defense’s DDR&D, the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The Israeli and U.S. industries jointly developed the system’s Finnish version and integrated it into Finland’s command and control facilities. The programme became operational in 2017. It includes radar for target detection and tracking and interceptor missiles known as Stunner missiles. They are utilised to neutralise incoming dangers posed by medium-range missiles.
The Deal that Started it All
The notice of sale of Israel’s David’s Sling air defence system to Finland came after Israel signed a deal with Germany that buy its Arrow 3 hypersonic missile system for $3.5 billion. The Israeli companies and the US collaborated to make the long-range system. However, White House needs to approved the sale first before it could be finalised.
The Arrow 3 system was specifically developed to intercept and destroy exo-atmospheric ballistic missiles with advanced maneuverability and decoy capabilities. This includes those which use decoys as potential dangers. It offers greater capabilities of engaging threats at higher altitudes and more etensive ranges than its predecessor, the Arrow 2.
Germany began strengthening NATO’s air defences in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. It persuaded allies to purchase deterrene systems together. According to analysts, Russia’s continuous invasion of Ukraine could possiby further surge’s Europe’s demand for Israeli weaponry.
