Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, signed an agreement for the sale of the David’s Sling air defence system to Finland. The agreement is valued at approximately 317 million EUR.
The signing event held at the Israel Ministry of Defence Headquarters was attended by the Ambassador of Finland to Israel, H.E. Dr. Nina Nordström, Finnish Defence Attaché to Israel, Col. Oula Asteljoki, President and CEO of Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yoav Har-Even, Head of the IMOD’s Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, Head of the Israel Missile Defence Organization (IMDO) in the DDR&D, Mr. Moshe Patel, and additional senior officials.
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The David’s Sling air defence system is jointly developed by the IMDO within the Israel Ministry of Defence’s DDR&D and the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) together with primary contractor Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
The David’s Sling air defence system is designed to intercept medium- to long-range missiles and large-caliber rockets within a range of 40 to 300 kilometers. The system's versatility makes it a valuable asset for any nation looking to enhance its air defense capabilities.
The air defense system gained international recognition following its notable performance during the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict. During this period, David's Sling demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in intercepting and neutralizing various aerial threats, including ballistic missiles and drones. This operational success significantly boosted its reputation on the global stage, leading to increased interest from foreign militaries.
The Stunner interceptor, a key feature of David's Sling, is equipped with a two-stage propulsion system that provides high precision and effectiveness against a variety of aerial threats. Its advanced radar and electro-optical sensors offer accurate tracking and identification capabilities, essential for countering ballistic missiles, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Finland's decision to acquire David's Sling is a strategic move to modernize and enhance its air defense system amidst growing security concerns in the region. This acquisition not only strengthens Finland's defensive posture but also signifies the expansion of Israel's defense exports.
The Finnish Ministry of Defence has emphasized that this acquisition aligns with their strategy to upgrade their national defense capabilities. The success of David's Sling in the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict played a crucial role in Finland's decision-making process, showcasing the system's operational effectiveness and reliability.
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