Israel’s defense ministry reported that it has successfully tested for the first time a wide range of sea-based aerial defense systems. The tests took place in the past few weeks, with targets fired from sea-borne launchers, imitating various range missiles and drones. All were intercepted successfully by Israel’s multi-tier defense systems – Iron dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling, at times simultaneously.

 Head of the Israel Missile Defense Organization in the Ministry of Defense, Moshe Patel said “through these tests, we demonstrated that the State of Israel has a robust, multilayered capability to face various threats – cruise missiles, UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] and ballistic threats.”

 The tests were led by Rafael Advanced Systems from a testing site in central Israel, with the Israel Air Force and Navy's participation. According to the Israeli defense ministry, this successful series is a critical milestone in the augmentation of Israel's operational capabilities in defending itself against current and future threats.

 “Israel is safer now, after the accomplishment of the recent test,” said Executive Vice President and Head of Rafael's Air and Missile Defense Division, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Pini Yungman. “The capability that was demonstrated in this series of tests ensures the security of the State of Israel and its ability to contend with current and future threats." This indicates that the systems will be capable of intercepting threats simultaneously during conflict.

 Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz commended the successful test. “This is one of the most advanced air defense mechanisms in the world and it protects the state from threats near and far. The systems in this multilayered mechanism provide Israel with a top tier strategic capability, enabling us to operate effectively in every scenario,” he said, in a statement. “I would also like to thank our partners in the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Missile Defense Agency, U.S. government, and U.S. Congress, which support the State of Israel in the development of these systems and aid us in ensuring Israel's security and operational superiority.”

 Meanwhile, the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia entered the Persian Gulf in America’s latest deterrence mission against Iran. The submarine – which is armed with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and a dry deck shelter for Navy SEALs – was escorted by cruisers Port Royal and Philippine Sea. It is the first time in eight years the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet has publicly announced that one of its guided-missile submarines has transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf – and the maneuver follows recent flights of nuclear-capable Air Force bombers to the region.

 The show of force by the U.S. military also comes after the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked by a barrage of rockets that caused "minor damage" to the sprawling diplomatic compound, but no was left injured. It was the first rocket attack on the embassy in over a month and comes as the one-year anniversary of the U.S. killing of Iran’s most powerful general, Qasem Soleimani, looms. The rocket attacks are blamed on Iranian-backed proxy fighters inside Iraq. 

 Soleimani was killed minutes after arriving in Baghdad by an American drone orbiting over the airport on Jan. 3. Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles against U.S. forces inside Iraq days later.

 Officials say the latest submarine and warship movements into the Persian Gulf were "long planned" as the anniversary of the killing of Soleimani approaches and not in response to the embassy attack. The aircraft carrier Nimitz remains on station outside the Persian Gulf in the Arabian Sea nearby.

 Israel’s new defense network, which will help to protect the nation both from east and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west as well as the continued and now heightened presence of US military in the region will continue to put pressure on those in Iran who want to see the destruction of Israel and the elimination of all US military presence in the region.  

Pray- Pray that the new administration in the United States will continue to provide support for Israel in the region and that Israel will continue to be blessed with technology that enables them to defend against their enemies in the region.