Jerusalem, Apr. 8 : The Israel Air Force conducted its 17th test of the newly upgraded Arrow 2 missile defense system on Tuesday.

The Jerusalem Post quoted officials as saying that it was capable of intercepting an Iranian nuclear missile.

The Arrow interceptor was launched from the Palmahim Base at around 11 a. m. after the Blue Sparrow Missile - developed to mimic an Iranian Shihab 3 missile - was fired from an F-15 fighter jet over the Mediterranean Sea.

Tuesday''s test was the first time a modified version of the Arrow 2 was launched and operated in conjunction with a new and more advanced model of the Green Pine radar system.

The high-powered American X-Band radar, deployed in the Negev Desert in late 2008 as a farewell gift from then-US president George W. Bush, also participated in the test and tracked the incoming target. (ANI)