International@Udaan India: On Tuesday, Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel, reigniting discussions about Israel’s advanced air defense systems. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that 90% of these missiles hit their targets, with some landing in Israeli territory, creating a large crater near the Mossad headquarters. However, there’s no solid evidence of significant damage, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed the successful interception to Israel’s highly advanced air defense system.
Israel's Air Defense Systems: From Iron Dome to Arrow-3
Israel’s multi-layered air defense system is designed to intercept missiles at various altitudes and ranges. The most well-known component is the Iron Dome, which intercepts short-range rockets and missiles launched from 4 to 70 kilometers away. Introduced in 2011, the Iron Dome specifically targets missiles that pose a threat to populated areas, while allowing others to fall in open fields.
Following the Iron Dome is David's Sling, capable of intercepting missiles up to 300 kilometers away. Developed jointly by the U.S. and Israel, David's Sling has been operational since 2017 and uses "Stunner" missiles to neutralize medium- to long-range ballistic missiles. Israel also employs Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 systems. Arrow-2 intercepts medium-range ballistic missiles within the atmosphere, while Arrow-3 targets long-range ballistic missiles flying outside the Earth’s atmosphere. These systems have been crucial in defending Israel from missile threats, including a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in 2023.
Is Israel's Air Defense System Impenetrable?
Experts argue that no air defense system is completely foolproof. While Israel’s defense network is highly advanced, it has its limitations. If a large number of missiles, drones, or projectiles are fired at once, some may get through. This is why Iran often launches numerous missiles at Israel, aiming to overwhelm the defense systems so that a few missiles can reach their targets.
Despite its effectiveness, Israel’s air defense has been challenged by Iran’s advanced missile technology, including the use of hypersonic missiles in the latest attack. Hypersonic missiles, which travel faster than the speed of sound, present a unique challenge even for Israel's sophisticated systems. However, Iran's claims of severe damage may be exaggerated to boost the morale of its proxy forces and allies.
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