This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.

Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

1990
Israel conducts the first test of the Arrow-1 anti-tactical ballistic missile. The Arrow-1 is designed as a theater defense missile system capable of intercepting SS-1 Scuds, SS-21 Scarab SRBMs (Short-Range Ballistic Missiles) and also the longer range Iraqi Al-Hussein, as well as the Chinese CSS-2 missiles deployed in Saudi Arabia.

The Arrow-1 is a two-stage solid-propellant missile, with an overall length of 7.5m, a body diameter of 1.2m, and a launch weight of around 2,000 kg. It is estimated that the second stage has a length of 2.5m, and that Arrow-1 has inertial and command update mid-course guidance, with a terminal IR focal plane array. The missile is described as being high-speed and very maneuverable, with thrust vector control (TVC) in the boost and second-stage motor nozzles. The range capability has been described as around 50km. A focused proximity fused fragmentation warhead is reported to be under development for the missile.
—Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

January 1990
Israel conducts a successful test of the Jericho-II missile from the Palmachim test site.
—William E. Burrows and Robert Windrem, Critical Mass The Dangerous for Superpowers in a Fragmented World (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994), p. 455.

August 1990
The first test of the Arrow ATBM is unsuccessful.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>.

19 November 1990
South Africa admits conducting a second ballistic missile test-flight, but insists that the missiles are booster rockets for a peaceful space program.
—John Pike, "Overberg Test Range OTB Arniston South Africa," 29 May 2000, Federation of American Scientists, <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/rsa/missile/index.html >; William E. Burrows and Robert Windrem, Critical Mass The Dangerous for Superpowers in a Fragmented World (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994), p. 455.

March 1991
Israel conducts a successful second test of its launch in order to verify the design and integration of the components of the missile.
—"Israel conducts second Test Of Arrow ABM over Mediterranean," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 1 April 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.

August 1991
Israel and South Africa conduct joint tests of the Barak naval anti-missile system off the Natal Coast. The Barak-1 missile has four folding clipped-tip delta wings and four folding moving clipped-tip control fins at the rear. The missile is 2.17m long, has a body diameter of 0.17m, an unfolded wing span of 0.68m, and weighs 98kg. In addition to the control fins, there are thrust deflectors in the boost motor exhaust nozzle to assist in controlling the missile after its launch. The boost motor section is ejected after the initial boost phase. Guidance is by radar-controlled Command to Line of Sight (CLOS), using Elta STR coherent pulse-Doppler radar, or using an electro-optic tracker in severe ECM conditions. The Barak missile warhead weighs 22kg, and is a fragmentation type with an active laser fusing system that is supported by an altimeter to intercept very low-level targets. The missile has a range of 12km against aircraft targets, and around 5km against sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. A minimum range of 500m is reported. The lightweight system including radar, fire-control system, and eight missiles in launch canisters weighs a total of 3,000kg. The fire-control radar can command two separate missiles towards each target and it is reported that the Barak system can be fully automatic under the control of a threat evaluation system.
—Gerald M. Steinberg, "Israel: Case Study for International Missile Trade and Nonproliferation" in eds. William C. Potter and Harlan W. Jenks, The International Missile Bazaar: The New Suppliers Network, (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1994), p. 242; Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems 35, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Barak," 19 January 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

March 1992
Israel conducts a successful sixth test of the Jericho-II missile from the Palmachim test site.
—William E. Burrows and Robert Windrem, Critical Mass The Dangerous for Superpowers in a Fragmented World (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994), p. 455.

1993
US government officials confirm the existence of underground launch facilities for the nuclear capable Jericho-I and Jericho-II missiles, 14 miles west of Jerusalem. The facilities consist of a bunker storage area, a road network, and caves used as pre-launch preparation sites. French and Russian satellite photos indicate that the facility was expanded between 1989 and 1993 to accommodate the Jericho-I missile. At this time Israel's nuclear program includes approximately 50 Jericho-I missiles and 50 Jericho-II missiles.
—David A. Fulghum and Jeffrey M. Lenorovitz, "Israel Missile Base in Hill," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 8 November 1993, p. 29, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.

February 1993
The fifth test of Arrow-1 demonstrates that "the Arrow can locate and intercept an incoming missile."
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>.

15 September 1994
Reported test of Jericho-II or modified "Jericho 3" from Palmachin.
—Encyclopedia Astronautica, "Jericho 2," <http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/jericho2.htm>.

October 1994
During the 45th International Astronautical Federation Congress in Jerusalem, Israel presents its plans to develop an upgraded four-stage version of its Shavit booster/SLV to be designated "Next." The four stages consist of first- and second-stage solid motors approximately 20 percent longer than the original Shavit and use Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) new 3000 Newton (674 lbs) thrust liquid rocket system on the fourth stage. Israel intends to market "Next" for commercial launches of US science and commercial communications satellites. "Next" will be designed for a 300kg (660 lb) payload.
—Craig Covault, "IAF Highlights New Israeli Booster," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 17 October 1994, p. 25, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.

1995
Reports continue to emerge that IAI is working on the NEXT, an upgraded version of the Shavit. The work entails stretching stages 1 and 2 and adding a bipropellant stage 4. Development depends on commercial commitments, and there have been no reported launches.
—Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 33, "Offensive Weapons (Unclassified Projects) - Satellite Launch Vehicles, Israel," 14 February 2000, <http://online.janes.com>.

April 1995
Israel begins development of a 2,000km extended-range variant of its 1,500km range Jericho-II intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
—"Israel Will Stretch Ballistic Missile," Flight International, 19 April 1995-4/25/95, p. 4, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.

April 1995
Israel launches the 225kg Ofeq-3 satellite using its three-stage Shavit rocket from the Palmachim test site near Tel Aviv. The launch is expected to advance Israel's real-time nuclear missile targeting capacity. The satellite's real-time surveillance capability will also be combined with the Arrow missile to strengthen Israel's anti- ballistic missile defenses.
—"Israel's Space And Missile Projects," Jane's Intelligence Review, August 1995, pp. 352-354, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe>.

July 1995
The first test of the Arrow-2, an operational version of the Arrow-1, is described as successful. The test is designed to evaluate the performance of the missile's guidance systems and rocket engines.

The Arrow-2 is reported to weigh no more than 1,300kg and it is believed that the total missile is 6.95m long. The Arrow-2 is a two-stage solid-propellant missile, with a boost and a sustainer stage, with both stages using thrust vector control (TVC). The first stage is believed to be 3.45m long with a diameter of 0.8m, followed by a short sustainer motor assembly of 0.75m length, with a kill vehicle that is 2.75m long and a weight of around 500kg. The terminal seeker has "an indium antimonite focal plane array (IR) seeker developed by Amber Engineering" (part of Raytheon) in the United States, "together with the focused blast/fragmentation warhead designed for Arrow-1." The Arrow-2 kill vehicle contains the terminal seeker, warhead, and fuse, and uses four moving delta aerodynamic control fins for lower altitude interceptions. An active radar fuse is believed to be used, and in later versions this could form part of a dual-mode seeker assembly. The kill vehicle is designed to achieve a hit-to-kill interception, but if this is not achieved, the proximity fuse will direct the warhead fragments at the target shortly before reaching the closest point to the target. It is believed that the minimum intercept altitude is around 10km, and maximum intercept altitude is 50km, with a maximum range of 90km. It is reported that the Arrow-2 missile has a maximum speed of 2.5km/s.

The missiles are carried on a towed trailer, with six missiles in their canisters raised to the vertical before launch. The missiles use a hot ejection method from the canisters, and up to three missiles can be fired at any one target. In addition, there will be a Tadiran fire-control center (known as Citron Tree) vehicle associated with each Arrow battery that provides battle management, integration with other defense systems, a pre-mission simulation capability, and a post-mission analysis function. The fire control center has 10 operator positions, can control up to 14 intercepts, and is to have link 16 (Tadil J) added for interoperability with Patriot fire units. A launch control center (known as Hazelnut Tree) is vehicle mounted and controls four to eight launcher vehicles, allocating the missiles as requested by the fire control center. Following launch, an Arrow-2 missile accelerates with the first stage boost motor and for long-range engagements this is followed by a coast period. The second stage sustainer motor then ignites, and the first stage assembly separates leaving the second stage approaching the target. After target acquisition by the kill vehicle's terminal seeker, the guidance directs the kill vehicle towards the intercept point, until there is a direct impact or the fuse detects the target and initiates the warhead.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>; Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

20 February 1996
Israel conducts the second test of the Arrow-2. The test is designed to demonstrate the missile's ability to intercept a simulated missile, and to evaluate the integration of the Green Pine Fire Control radar system, manufactured by Elta Electronics Industries, with the missile.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>; Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

August 1996
A report published in Jane's Sentinel alleges that Israel possesses 150 Jericho-I missiles, 50 Jericho-II missiles, and 160 MGM (Lance) missiles. The report also alleges that a Jericho-III is being developed with the assistance of South Africa. Fifty Jericho-I missiles are reportedly deployed on mobile launchers close to nuclear-warhead facilities and 100 are allegedly deployed at Kfar Zehariya in the Judean Hills. The Jericho missiles are built at Be'er Ya'acov and tested at the Palmachin test site.
—"A must read about Israel's military machine," Jerusalem Post, 9 August 1996.

20 August 1996
The Arrow-2 successfully intercepts and destroys another missile, modified to simulate a Scud, in its inaugural intercept and third overall test.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>; Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

11 March 1997
In its fourth test, the Arrow-2 successfully intercepts and destroys its target despite a warhead failure.
—Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, "Israeli Missile Milestones," Risk Report (6) 2, November/December 2000, <http://www.wisconsinproject.org/>; Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

August 1997
The fifth flight-test of the Arrow-2 is unsuccessful.
—Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

May 1998
Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Moredachai approves a 10-year plan to continue development and production of the joint United States Israeli Arrow-2 anti-ballistic missile system.
—"Israel Ready to Deploy Arrow 2 missile System." Xinhua News Service 28 May 1998.

4 May 1998
Yitzak Ben-Israeli's, head of Israel's Administration for Research and Development of Fighting Means and Technological Infrastructure (MAFAT), declares that Israel will be prepared to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at a distance of dozens of kilometers by the year 2000. He also reveals that Israel is one year away from deploying the first of three Arrow ballistic missile defense systems.
—"Next Generation of Spy Satellites," FBIS-NES-98-124, 4 May 1998.

14 September 1998
The sixth test of the Arrow-2 integrates the complete Arrow system but without a target.
—Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

1 November 1999
The seventh flight-test of the Arrow-2 is the first test of the complete system and results in a direct hit on a TM-91 ballistic missile target. The test fully integrates the radar, fire control center, launch control center, and communications with the Arrow-2 missile. The test is made against a target flying away from the launch site.
—Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems 36, "Defensive Weapons, Israel, Arrow," 12 November 2001, <http://online.janes.com>.

	Updated September 2005