Israel's Missile Defences: A Complex Web of Protection against Iran's Ballistic Threats

As Israel's "Operation Rising Lion" continues, the country's missile defences have been put to the test, intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles and drones over major population centres. With a vast array of defence systems, including the "Iron Dome", David's Sling, and Arrow 2 and 3 interceptors, Israel's air defence is considered one of the most effective in the world. However, the conflict highlights the limitations of missile defence systems and the cat-and-mouse game between attackers and defenders.

Key Takeaways:

• Israel's missile defence system consists of multiple layers, including the "Iron Dome", David's Sling, and Arrow 2 and 3 interceptors, designed to address threats from different ranges.
• The "Iron Dome" is a short-range anti-artillery defence system, while David's Sling and Arrow 2 and 3 are designed to engage longer-range ballistic missiles.
• Israel's systems have intercepted most of Iran's ballistic missiles and drones, but the conflict continues to escalate, with population centres increasingly being targeted.
• Iran possesses a large arsenal of ballistic missiles and long-range drones, alongside other long-range weapons such as cruise missiles.
• The US military has comparable missile defence systems, including the Patriot PAC-3, THAAD, Aegis, and SM-3, which have been deployed to support Israel's defence.
• Missile defences are finite, and the defender is always limited by the number of interceptors it possesses, while the attacker plans for some losses to interceptors and sends enough missiles to penetrate the defences.
• The conflict highlights the limitations of missile defence systems and the need for a comprehensive approach to address the threat of ballistic missiles.

Statistics:

• Iran has fired approximately 1,000 ballistic missiles of an estimated 3,000, leaving it with a significant stockpile to use.
• Israel's missile defence system has intercepted most of Iran's ballistic missiles and drones, but the conflict continues to escalate.
• The Arrow 2 and 3 interceptors have been used to engage longer-range ballistic missiles, with spectacular footage captured of exoatmospheric interceptions.
• The US has deployed Aegis-equipped warships to support Israel's defence against missile attacks and is preparing to do the same again.

Sources:

• The Conversation (Au and NZ), "How does Israel's famous air defence work? It's not just the 'Iron Dome'", by James Dwyer, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania
• The Conversation (Au and NZ), "The Conversation US, Israeli Defence Systems Intercept Iranian Missiles Over Haifa", by James Dwyer, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania