The first Israeli-built Arrow missile has been delivered to the country's military.

The missile is supposed to intercept incoming missiles between ten and forty kilometres above the ground.

It is intended to protect Israel against possible attacks from Syria, Iraq and Iran but it can also be used as an offensive missile.

The ten-year project was jointly funded by the United States.

The defence minister, Yitzhak Mordechai, said the Arrow would provide an almost complete shield against present and future threats.