An Israeli officer guards "David's Sling" missile launcher during the "Juniper Cobra 18" exercise at Hatzor Air Force base, Israel, on March 8, 2018. (Xinhua File photo)

JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Israel's advanced missile defense system David's Sling successfully intercepted medium to long-range missiles in a joint exercise with the United States, Israeli Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry said that the drill was held with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA.)

In a series of tests, the David's Sling missile defense system shoot down several ballistic missiles, simulating different scenarios in which Israel comes under attack.

The ministry said the drill constitutes "an important milestone" for Israel's defense.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended the drill, saying Israel has become "a world leader" in the development of anti-missile systems.

The system is designed to intercept medium to long-range missiles reportedly owned by the Iran-backed Hezbollah organization in southern Lebanon.

In its first real use, David's Sling, operational since 2015, intercepted two Syrian ORT-21 missiles above the Syrian soil in July 2018.

It is part of Israel's multi-layer defense system, which also includes the Iron Dome, a system aimed at intercepting short-range rockets from Gaza, and the long-range Arrow-3, an anti-ballistic-missile system.