The Pentagon has confirmed that it played a role in an Israeli ballistic missile defense test over the Mediterranean Sea on Sept. 3 and said the test had been long-planned and had no connection to potential military action against Syria.
The test involved Israel’s Arrow Ballistic Missile Defense System and the use of a new version of the Sparrow target missile. The event lighted up some radar screens, particularly in Russia, and sparked concerns a military strike against Syria had begun. The United States is assisting Israel with the development of the system.
Pentagon spokesman George Little said the United States provided technical assistance and support to Israel’s Missile Defense Organization.
“The test was long planned to help evaluate the Arrow Ballistic Missile Defense system’s ability to detect, track, and communicate information about a simulated threat to Israel,” Little said.
“The United States and Israel cooperate on a number of long-term ballistic missile defense development projects to address common challenges in the region. This test had nothing to do with United States consideration of military action to respond to Syria’s chemical weapons attack,” he added.
President Barack Obama has signaled his intention to launch a series of limited military strikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack against civilians Aug. 21 in areas surrounding Damascus. Obama, who says the attack killed more than 1,400 people, is seeking congressional approval before striking.