With this, Finland became the first country to buy Israel’s David’s Sling air defense system significant development in the realm of international military cooperation. Confirmation of a deal worth €128 million was provided by Israel’s Ministry of Defense. The exact number of systems the country will provide remains unsaid, but the budget is suggestive of acquiring a single unit.
David’s Sling, also known as Magic Wand, is an Israeli mid-tier missile defense system from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and US-based Raytheon. Entering operational service in 2017, the system has since become an integral part of Israel’s multi-layered missile defense system, providing a terminal-phase hit-to-kill defense against an array of threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, medium- to long-range rockets, hostile aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
The two-stage Stunner interceptor missile with sophisticated sensors and control systems for targeting and guidance is the main constituent element of the system. Free from a warhead, it will destroy a threat just by the force of impact. It can intercept targets at altitudes of up to 15 km and ranges between 40-300 km, therefore becoming a versatile solution for modern air defense needs.
David’s Sling will be composed of a vertical missile firing unit, an ELM-2084 fire control radar, and a battle management/operator station. ELM-2084 Radar: ELM-2084 is an active electronically steered array AESA in the S-band frequency developed by Elta Systems. It can track up to 1100 targets at a range of 474 km in the surveillance mode and up to 200 targets a minute at a range of 100 km in the fire control mode.
Several reasons underpin the selection of David’s Sling over the U.S.-origin Patriot PAC-3 system. For one, David’s Sling has higher capabilities, with its engagement range against aerodynamic targets going up to 300 km compared to 160 km for Patriot. In ballistic missile intercept, the Stunner missile used by David’s Sling offers a minimum range of 40 km, although the maximum range is classified, it is understood to go significantly farther.
David’s Sling comes rather cheaply. A single fire unit was sold for an estimated EUR 317 million, well below the multi-hundred-million-dollar cost of a full Patriot PAC-3 battery. Media reports also suggest that the Stunner missile is likewise much cheaper than its Patriot counterpart at an estimated 20 percent of the cost of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor.
Lastly, the production limits of the Patriot system also helped Finland arrive at its decision. American manufacturers are behind schedule in their production with existing orders from such countries as Morocco and Switzerland – not to mention additional ones placed by Poland and the Pentagon. By contrast, David’s Sling allows Finland to be the first user of an air defense system offering superior performance with lower costs and combat-proven application.
Development of David’s Sling started in 2006, and in 2008, the U.S. and Israel inked an agreement for co-development of the system. Extensive testing of the system has been carried out; it successfully intercepted targets such as short-range ballistic missiles and large-caliber rockets. First deliveries of the system were made to the Israeli Air Force in 2016, and the system was officially declared to have been inducted into service in March 2017.
David’s Sling experienced its first combat employment on 23 July 2018, intercepting two Syrian OTR-21 Tochka short-range ballistic missiles. When the incoming missiles veered off course, the interceptors were ordered to self-destruct, but the incident marked the system’s readiness for operation and effectiveness.
Acquiring David’s Sling shows that Finland is increasingly alert to improved air defense systems because of the new nature of threats. Outside Israel, Finland will be the first country to take up this advanced technology, therefore setting a precedence for other nations considering upgrades in missile defense capabilities.