The test launch came as a Russian newspaper reported that Iran has signed a deal to buy Russian tactical surface-to-air missile systems and a day after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned of the dangers of a nuclear Iran.
"The success of the test will improve the operational capabilities that already exist today in the Arrow system, which will be able to successfully cope with future threats," said Defense Ministry director general Yaakov Toran.
The simulated enemy missile used in the test resembles the Iranian Shahab-3 and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The test enemy missile was fired from an airplane over the Mediterranean Sea, from the west. The Arrow anti-missile missile was fired from an Israel Air Force base in the center of the country, and hit the target.
The test is the 14th test of the Arrow system, which is being developed with the United States, and the ninth test of the missile itself.
Israel recently carried out a successful test of its Arrow anti-missile system. The Defense Ministry officials called it a response to the increasing threat of ballistic missiles in the region.