Israel upgrades David’s Sling after 12-day War with Iran enhancing air defence capabilities
August 5, 2025
After the 12-Day War with Iran, Israel continues to improve and develop its multi-layered air defence system. New upgrades to the medium-range David’s Sling build on lessons learned and will help make the greater system even more effective at neutralising threats.
Israel live-fire tests new upgrades for David’s Sling AD
Israel’s Ministry of Defence (IMOD) has announced the completion of a new series of developmental flight tests with its David’s Sling medium air defence system. The system is developed jointly by the United States and Israel, with Raytheon as a major subcontractor, and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Systems as the prime contractor.
The ministry stated, “The David’s Sling system successfully performed a series of live-fire tests, with scenarios simulating future threats, enhancing the system’s capabilities and significantly improving its ability to face the IDF’s various combat arenas.”
“Our teams, together with the industries, pushed the system’s operational envelope through this test series and expanded its capabilities against emerging, sophisticated threats,” says Moshe Patel, Director at the Israeli Missile Defence Organisation (IMDO). “This achievement marks a significant milestone in the system’s evolution and delivers enhanced operational capabilities to the IDF.”
As with other air defence systems, David’s Sling is being significantly upgraded. It is designed to counter medium-range threats like rockets, missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and UAVs.
“We’re facing an intense decade ahead that will demand robust offensive and defensive capabilities,” says Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, IMOD Director General. “Our adversaries continue testing our air defence systems, so we must keep upgrading them while fast-tracking breakthrough technologies that will give us a decisive edge and boost our operational capabilities.”
Wow! pic.twitter.com/0iyHRmeGT1
— Radio & Nukes 🇺🇦 (@HamWa07) June 13, 2025
The announcement comes on the heels of Operation Rising Lion, when Israel launched an intensive 12-day bombing campaign over Iran, briefly drawing in the United States with Operation Midnight Hammer. Over that period, the Israeli air defence network intercepted hundreds or thousands of Iranian missiles and drones, with only a very small percentage of Iranian munitions successfully penetrating the network.
What is David’s sling, and what can it do?
David’s Sling, also known as Kela David and formerly Magic Wand, became operational in April 2017. It fills the critical role between Iron Dome and Arrow-2/3, intercepting mid- to long-range rockets, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones at ranges of approximately 40–300 km (~25–186 miles)
It functions as a key component of Israel’s multi-layered missile defence, designed to intercept various aerial threats. The system uses several components to defend Israeli skies, including:
- Interceptor missile: The two-stage Stunner missile uses a dual CCD/IR seeker and asymmetric kill vehicle to engage threats kinetically (hit-to-kill)—no explosives needed. It is effective against advanced missiles such as Russia’s Iskander or Iran’s Fateh‑110
- Radar: The system is radar‑guided via the Elta EL/M‑2084 AESA multi-mission radar, capable of detecting and tracking dozens of targets simultaneously, including low-RCS threats
- Battle management: Operated from a command centre and linked with other defence systems (Iron Dome, Arrow, Barak‑MX, Iron Beam), it supports auto and manual engagement sequencing and data-link retargeting
David’s Sling has been used operationally, shooting down rockets from Gaza, intercepting ballistic threats during the October 2024 Iranian strikes, and engaging missiles during Operation Rising Lion in Iran in 2025, with a success rate of around 90%.
The latest August 2025 live-fire tests improved performance across the board: threat simulation, engagement envelope, decision-making logic, and operator responsiveness. Officials described the test as a major enhancement of system capabilities across Israel’s multi-layered air defence network.
Israel’s Iron Dome reportedly intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile today — a rare event, as the system is designed for rockets and drones.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 20, 2025
Since the start of the war with Iran, Israel has repeatedly used it as a last resort against ballistic missiles—but failed in most… pic.twitter.com/165ADKUVN0
Upgrades to the Iron Dome, the lowest Israeli air defence tier (which was not designed to intercept missiles), became apparent in Operation Rising Lion. For the first time, two Iron Dome Tamir interceptors were seen engaging and successfully destroying an Iranian missile on final descent. The move underscores just how much Israel’s air defence systems are being progressively upgraded.
Israel’s layered air defence network
Israel famously has one of the most formidable multi-layered air defence systems in the world. The Iron Dome is a veritable household name and is designed for shooting down rockets, artillery shells, and other short-ranged munitions. The Iron Dome is just the lowest layer of defence, whose name has inspired the United States’ very different upcoming Golden Dome.
Above the Iron Dome layer is David’s Sling, which provides advanced medium to long-range missile defence. After that layer, Israel’s BARAK MX Air and Missile Defence System is designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles and aircraft. The highest Israeli air defence layer is the Arrow missile, designed to intercept ballistic missiles up in the stratosphere.
Additionally, Israel is retiring its Patriot SAMs while also preparing to bring the Iron Beam directed energy (aka laser) system into operation in 2025.
