The Israeli Air Force has reportedly test fired Patriot surface-to-air missiles from the Palmachim air base in central Israel as part of an air defence exercise, code-named Juniper Cobra.

The test firing, which marked the conclusion of the exercise, was aimed at stimulating the interception of multiple targets against Israel while testing the readiness of the Israeli as well as the US military against such assaults.

Additionally, a new interception system known as the David’s Sling Weapon System (DSWS) was included in the exercise for the first time.

"The test firing was aimed at stimulating the interception of multiple targets against Israel."

The DSWS is a surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept medium-to-long-range rockets and cruise missiles, fired at ranges from 40km to 300km.

The system is developed to work alongside the Iron Dome, Patriot and Arrow missile systems as the future of Israel’s aerial defence formation.

The biennial computer-simulated defence drill is primarily designed to boost the cooperative defence of Israel between the two countries’ militaries as part of an agreement to hold bilateral training on a regular basis.

Designed to engage both militaries into a computer-assisted exercise through simulations aimed at providing quality training in defence, crisis resupply, foreign disaster response and foreign humanitarian assistance, the exercise scenario encompasses the overall situation in the Middle East.

Since 2001, the nations have been conducting similar exercises every two years. The current exercise, started on 21 February 2016, is expected to continue for a week.