Cracks in the Dome: How strong is Israel's iron defense now?

Time of India

15 hours ago

Israel's multi-tiered shield
Live Events
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Israeli military said that its multilayered air-defense system intercepted the vast majority of the ballistic missiles fired by Iran, although a few managed to hit targets, causing minor damage. An Associated Press reporter witnessed smoke rising from a building in Tel Aviv following an apparent missile strike. A nearby hospital reported treating 15 injured civilians.The latest attack marks one of the most significant direct military confrontations between Iran and Israel in recent history and is seen as a major stress test for Israel's widely regarded air-defense architecture. Since the war broke out on October 7, 2023, Israel has faced continuous attacks from multiple fronts—including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and now directly from Iran—using a mix of short- and medium-range rockets, drones, and long-range ballistic missiles.While the United States provided support through its ground-based air defense systems in the region, a U.S. official told The Associated Press that the bulk of the interceptions were carried out by Israeli forces themselves.Iran's state media also claimed that the country's air defense forces had successfully shot down two Israeli F-35 fighter jets and a large number of Israeli micro air vehicles. Israeli authorities have denied the claim. Meanwhile, Israel's own air-defense capabilities have come under renewed scrutiny.Over the years, Israel has developed a sophisticated and layered missile defense system, much of it in collaboration with the United States. The system is designed to detect, assess, and neutralize incoming threats depending on their type, range, and trajectory.Developed jointly with the U.S., this high-altitude defense system is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere. It has been used to target missiles fired by Houthi militants from Yemen during the ongoing conflict.Also a U.S.-Israel collaboration, this system targets medium-range threats, such as those posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon. It has been deployed multiple times during the current war.One of Israel's most well-known defense systems, the Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells. Since it was deployed over a decade ago, it has intercepted thousands of rockets, with a reported success rate exceeding 90%.In development, this cutting-edge laser system is expected to revolutionize missile defense by offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional interceptors. While not yet operational, Israeli officials believe Iron Beam will be a game-changer—interceptions could cost just a few dollars each, compared to $50,000 for Iron Dome and up to $2 million for other systems.As tensions escalate, the ability of Israel's defenses to withstand sustained and complex threats will remain a key factor in the conflict's trajectory.