The Ministry of Defense today conducted a test of a rocket propulsion system for ballistic missiles. The test took place at the Israel air force base at Palmachim.
The test included a launch, which left a long trail clearly visible from many locations in central Israel. The Ministry of Defense did not state the circumstances of the secret launch, saying that the test had been planned long in advance.
The rocket propulsion system tested today was part of a test likely to be used for the Shavit missile used by Israel to launch satellites into outer space. A similar test was conducted in November 2011, when the Ministry of Defense also released few particulars about it, while stating that it was a rocket propulsion system. According to foreign reports, in addition to development of the Shavit missile, Israel also possesses several batteries of Jericho ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads at a secret base in the Jerusalem hills.
Israel takes care not to comment on reports about the plan attributed to it relating to these missiles, including reports about an improved version of this missile capable of striking targets at a range of 5,000 kilometers and bearing warheads weighing up to a ton.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 5, 2015
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