Israel Tests Rocket Propulsion System

The Israel Ministry of Defense has announced it concluded experimental test of its rocket propulsion system from a military base located in the center of the country.

"The Israel Ministry of Defense has completed a test of a rocket propulsion system from a military base in central Israel. The test launch was scheduled in advance and carried out as planned," the ministry posted on its official Twitter account on Saturday.

Rocket propulsion systems are designed to launch large systems such as satellites, ballistic missiles and large ground to air missiles. The system was reportedly tested in December as well.

Foreign media speculated it to be surface-to-surface Jericho system capable of supporting nuclear payloads. While Jericho-3 entered service in 2011, Israel is said to be working on Jericho-4.

Israel’s air defenses currently include: the Iron Dome, designed to shoot down short-range rockets; and the Arrow system, which intercepts ballistic missiles outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. The David’s Sling missile defense system is designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles and medium- to long-range rockets, as well as cruise missiles fired at ranges between 40 to 300 km, wrote The Jerusalem Post.

Last week, rockets reportedly struck southern Israel for four consecutive days. On Saturday, a number of balloons suspected of carrying explosive devices were allegedly launched from the Gaza Strip. Balloon clusters were said to be found in the Lachish and Merhavim regional councils to the east of Gaza.