The Functioning of Israel’s Air-Defense System

Iran launched a massive attack on Israel over the weekend, using over 300 drones and ballistic missiles. Despite the overwhelming number of incoming threats, Israel’s air-defense system, with the assistance of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Jordan, was able to intercept and take down most of the projectiles.

This attack comes at a time when Israel’s air defense is already under strain due to ongoing attacks since the conflict with Hamas began several months ago. The Israeli army reported that 40 launches originated from Lebanese territory, with some being intercepted and the rest falling in open areas.

Israel’s air-defense system is known for its effectiveness and sophistication. The country has one of the highest military spending per capita, with a significant portion allocated to its multi-layered defense system.

The Arrow system, particularly the Arrow 3, is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. It has successfully intercepted threats, including a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen.

David’s Sling is responsible for medium-range threats and has proven its capability by intercepting rockets launched from Gaza in defense of Israeli civilians. The Spyder mobile air defense system, developed by Israeli company Rafael, provides defense against a wide range of threats.

The Iron Dome, another crucial component of Israel’s air-defense system, has a success rate of over 90% and has intercepted more than 2,000 threats since its deployment in 2011. The Iron Beam, a laser-based system, is set to further enhance Israel’s defense capabilities against enemy rockets and mortar shells.

The recent attacks from Iran and Palestine may accelerate the development and deployment of these advanced defense systems to ensure Israel’s security in the face of evolving threats.