David’s Sling is a medium to long-range air defense missile system jointly developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the United States’ Raytheon. It is designed to intercept and destroy various airborne threats, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and large-caliber rockets. The system functions as a key layer in Israel’s multi-tiered defense architecture, bridging the operational gap between the Iron Dome and Arrow systems.
Development of the system began in the early 2000s in response to growing missile threats in the region. A formal development agreement between the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) was signed in 2006. The system underwent years of testing and achieved its first successful intercept in 2015. It was declared operational in April 2017 and integrated into the Israeli Defense Forces’ air defense structure.
David’s Sling Air Defense System is equipped with the EL/M-2084 multi-mission radar, capable of tracking targets at distances up to 250–300 kilometers. It can engage incoming threats at ranges between 40 and 300 kilometers, with interceptors capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 7.5. The system is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously and contributes to the broader air defense strategy.
On April 5, 2023, Finland announced the acquisition of the David’s Sling system from Israel and the United States for €316 million. The system saw its first operational use in May 2023, when it was employed by the Israel Defense Forces to intercept a number of rockets launched from Gaza. According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the system was used against approximately 270 rockets during the escalation.
