Israeli Air Defense and Missile Defense Systems Involved in Repelling Iranian Strikes and Analysis of Their Effectiveness
According to Israeli military doctrine, reliable air and missile defense must be achieved primarily through air superiority and the preemptive destruction of attack weapons before they are used by the enemy. It is assumed that interceptor fighters will encounter enemy air targets that have survived strikes on their bases at a significant distance from the objects they are trying to attack. However, the fighter aviation unable to shoot down ballistic missiles missiles, and the last line of defense on their path is missile interceptors launched from ground-based launchers.
In Russian media covering the Israeli-Iranian conflict, there are often various inaccuracies in the description of the structure and combat performance of Israel's anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense systems. Often, based on video footage of individual Iranian ballistic missiles hitting Israeli cities, conclusions are made about the ineffectiveness or even complete incapacity of the anti-missile defense system as a whole. This publication attempts to briefly describe the anti-missile and anti-aircraft systems of the Israel Defense Forces and, based on the available data, to analyze its effectiveness.
Structure of the Israeli air defense and missile defense system
In the Israel Defense Forces, the air and missile defense systems are located within the Command Defense (516th Air Defense Division), which is directly subordinate to the headquarters of the Aerospace Forces.
The basic unit is a platoon. A company (battery) is formed from three or four platoons. Batteries are consolidated into separate fire battalions (divisions), which are under the direct control of the air defense headquarters.
Currently, the Air Defense Command has three sectors: Northern, Central, and Southern. They are protected by seven fire battalions: the 66th, 136th, 137th, 138th, 139th, 946th, and 947th. There is also the 533rd Separate Mobile Communications Battalion, the 883rd Training Battalion (Air Defense School), and the 168th Logistics Wing, which services storage bases and includes repair units and three security battalions. The Missile Threat Display Center, which interacts with the Rear Command, is responsible for warning the population and issuing target designations to anti-missile systems.
The fire divisions are armed with the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 anti-missile systems, the Kela David air defense system, the MIM-104 Patriot PAC-2/GEM+, Barak MX and SPYDER, the Iron Dome short-range anti-missile systems, as well as the Light Blade and Iron Beam combat lasers.
Radar systems of the Israeli air defense and missile defense system
As is known, any air defense and missile defense system relies on radar detection equipment. In the past, Israeli radio-technical units used mainly American-made radars and communications equipment. In the 1990s, the situation began to change, and the armament is mostly equipped with nationally produced radars. The main supplier of radar stations for the Israel Defense Forces is Elta Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
Layout of stationary radar posts on the territory of Israel
Currently, there are three radar posts operating on the territory of Israel, located on hills with stationary radars of the centimeter and decimeter range, covered with radio-transparent spherical fairings, and one aerostat radar post.
Google Earth satellite image: a fixed radar post on Mount Meron. The command post of the northern air defense sector is also located here. The image was taken in May 2024
Radiotechnical units are also attached to anti-aircraft missile battalions armed with anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems. In addition, G550 CAEW AEW aircraft and Eitan UAVs can be used for the timely detection of air targets (cruise missiles and UAVs) and the provision of target designation to air defense systems.
The site for the Hila radar reconnaissance tethered balloon is located 10 km south of the city of Dimona, near the Israeli nuclear center.
The EL/I-330 MPAS (Multi-Payload Aerostat System) aerostat reconnaissance and patrol system using the EL/M-2083 radar was developed by Israel Aircraft Industries.
The phased array radar is lifted into the air by the American-made TCOM 32M aerostat, which is 32 m long, has a payload of up to 225 kg and is capable of being on duty at an operating altitude of 900 meters for 15 days. A mobile platform is used to transport and lift the apparatus into the air. The received data is transmitted to the ground control point via a fiber-optic cable. The cable reserve is 2700 meters.
Google Earth satellite image of an Israeli airborne radar reconnaissance system deployed 10 km south of Dimona
According to information provided on the IAI website, the aerostat-mounted radar is capable of detecting low-altitude air targets at a range exceeding 250 km. The maximum detection range is up to 500 km. However, it is unknown whether the aerostat-mounted radar system can provide target designation or is intended only for early detection.
At the Ein Shemer airbase, approximately 6 km east of Hadera in the Haifa district, there is an EL/M-2080S Super Green Pine (Green Pine Block-B) radar, designed to detect ballistic missiles and provide target designation to missile defense systems, with a detection range of up to 900 km. Two more EL/M-2080 Green Pine stations were located at the Sdot Micha and Palmachim airbases.
Google Earth satellite image: EL/M-2080S Super Green Pine radar at Ein Shemer airbase
The Green Pine family of radars are transportable but not mobile. It takes about a day to deploy on a specially prepared site. The radar with AFAR operates in the frequency range of 500 MHz - 2000 MHz and can detect, track and guide anti-missiles. According to advertising data, it is possible to simultaneously track more than 30 targets flying at a speed of more than 3000 m/s.
The antenna consists of 2000-2300 receiving and transmitting modules and weighs over 50 tons. The radar also includes transformers, diesel power generators, a cooling system and a control center linked to communications equipment.
In 2012, the American AN/TPY-2 radar, operating in the 8,55-10 GHz frequency range, was deployed on Mount Keren in the Negev Desert. This station, created by Raytheon, was initially intended to detect tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles, track and guide interceptor missiles to them as part of the THAAD missile defense system.
Radar AN / TPY-2
With a warhead detection range of 1000 km and a scanning angle of 10-60°, this station has good resolution, sufficient to isolate a target against the background of debris from previously destroyed missiles and separated stages. According to Raytheon's advertising information, the AN/TPY-2 radar can be used not only with the THAAD system, but also as part of other missile defense systems.
Google Earth satellite image of a military base on Mount Keren in the Negev desert
Several sources claim that the facility located on Mount Keren, known as Site 512, is a key element of the missile early warning system, which is operated by the US military and staffed by personnel from the 1st Brigade of the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command. The media reported that a battery of the THAAD missile defense system is also deployed in the area, but this has not been officially confirmed.
About 10 years ago, Elta Systems introduced a new over-the-horizon radar with AESA EL/M-2090 TERRA, designed for the long-range detection of ballistic missiles.
The EL/M-2090 TERRA radar, which has high energy, can operate in different ranges: UHF and S-band. Due to this, high noise immunity, measurement accuracy and range are achieved. The characteristics of the station are not disclosed, and there is no information about where it is deployed.
Since 2008, Elta Systems has been supplying EL/M-2084 family radars, which have completely replaced the outdated American-made AN/TPS-43 radars and are used as standby radars for monitoring airspace and providing target designation to various short- and medium-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems.
Antenna post of the EL/M-2084MMR radar, used as part of the SPYDER air defense missile system
The three EL/M-2084 family of coordinate radars operating in the S-band employ active phased array antenna technology. The basic modification of the EL/M-2084 MMR has an instrumental detection range of about 470 km.
Antenna post of the EL/M-2084 M-MMR radar
The IDF also uses the compact EL/M-2084 M-MMR stations, designed to detect medium-range threats and control the fire of the Iron Dome system, which is designed to intercept large-caliber artillery shells and rockets at ranges from 4 to 70 km.
The mobile three-coordinate radar EL/M 2106 ATAR 3D, operating in the frequency range of 1,5-2 GHz, has an instrumental range of up to 180 km. Low-flying drones-kamikazes are detected at a range of 40-60 km. There is a possibility of tracking 60 targets simultaneously and transmitting data to a common network for exchange with other anti-aircraft systems.
Radar EL/M 2106 ATAR 3D
The radar hardware and antenna post can be mounted on various chassis or towed vans.
Israeli anti-aircraft missile defense systems
To intercept ballistic missiles before they enter the atmosphere, the Israel Defense Forces Air Force uses the Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 systems. Israeli and American companies have been involved in their development and production since 1994: Israel Aerospace Industries, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Elta Systems, Elisra Group, Rafael Advanced Defense, Israel Military Industries, Alliant Techsystems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Ceradyne.
The key elements of the missile defense system are the launchers (up to eight launchers) with six long-range interceptors, the EL/M-8 Green Pine or EL/M-2080S Super Green Pine radars, the Elisra Golden Citron command and communications center, the Israel Aerospace Industries Brown Hazelnut launch control center, a diesel power plant, a radar cooling unit, and communications equipment. The Arrow-2080 system is serviced by approximately 2 people.
1. Towed launcher. 2. Golden Citron command and communications center. 3. Communications node. 4. Brown Hazelnut launch control point. 5. EL/M-2080 Green Pine radar antenna. 6. Radar control center. 7. Diesel electric plant. 8. Radar cooling unit
The Golden Citron command and communications center, which serves a combat crew of 8-10 people, can monitor up to 14 interceptions simultaneously and is capable of operating in automatic mode. Interaction with other theater missile defense systems and automated control systems is ensured, using the Link 16 protocol. In addition to guiding anti-missiles, the computing complex calculates the impact point of the warhead of an enemy ballistic missile - in the event of an unsuccessful interception of a missile or the formation of large debris, this information is transmitted to the Rear Service to notify the population.
The Brown Hazelnut launchers and launch control center can be located up to 300 km from the command and communications center. The trailer-mounted launcher weighs 35 tons. After launching the launcher, it recharges within an hour.
Arrow-2 launcher
The two-stage solid-fuel Arrow-2 anti-missile is equipped with a thrust vector-controlled engine. The homing system is combined and includes infrared and radar channels. Unlike the American Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD, which destroy a target with a kinetic strike, the Arrow-2 has a 150 kg fragmentation warhead with an effective destruction zone of 50 m. The Arrow-2 anti-missile is 6,8 m long, 800 mm in diameter, and has a launch weight of 1300 kg. Maximum speed is 3 km/s. Maximum interception range is up to 80 km. According to information voiced by the developers, the probability of interception by one missile at maximum range is at least 90%.
Currently, the most advanced version is the Arrow-2 Block-5. This modification is compatible not only with Israeli Green Pine family radars, but also with American radars such as AN/TPY-2, AN/SPY-1 and AN/SPY-6.
The first Arrow 2 battery was deployed in March 2000 at Palmachim Air Base, near the city of Rishon LeZion, and reached full operational capability a year later.
Google Earth satellite image: Arrow-2 missile defense system and radar position at Ein Shemer airbase
Another battery was deployed in October 2002 at the Ein Shemer airbase near the city of Hadera, and a third in 2012 at a military facility near the settlement of Tal Shahar, in the center of the country, between Gedera and Latrun. However, this battery was subsequently moved to the Palmachim airbase. Positions for Arrow-2 were also equipped in the vicinity of the Sdot Micha airbase. The presence of several equipped positions allows for the maneuvering of firing batteries and flexible response to changing situations.
Google Earth satellite image: Arrow-2 missile defense system position at Palmachim airbase
Israeli media reported that each Arrow-2 system was initially supposed to have 150-200 anti-missiles. However, apparently, the order was subsequently increased.
In 2008, Israel and the United States began jointly developing a longer-range missile defense system, designated Arrow-3, with the goal of achieving a single-target hit probability of at least 99%.
To provide target designation for solid-fuel anti-missiles with a deflected thrust vector, it was planned to rely on the EL/M-2080S Super Green Pine and AN/TPY-2 radars, as well as high-altitude UAVs equipped with highly sensitive optoelectronic sensors. The range of the new heavy interceptor should be several times greater than that of the Arrow-2, and in fact it is limited by the detection system's coverage area. Interception altitude is up to 100 km. Anti-missile speed is up to 4,5 km/s.
Arrow-3 anti-missile model at ILA 2024
Unlike the Arrow-2, which is equipped with a fragmentation warhead, the Arrow-3 interceptor destroys an enemy ballistic missile with a direct hit.
Like the Arrow-2, the Arrow-3 interceptor missiles are stored in sealed transport and launch containers and are launched vertically from a towed launcher.
Following a series of tests, the Arrow-3 system was put on trial combat duty in 2017. Serial production of the anti-missile system was established at the production facilities of the US-based Stark enterprise, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
The test launches were carried out from the launch pad at Palmachim Air Base, but the system was not fully deployed there. Several sources claimed that a launch pad for long-range anti-missiles was being equipped in Tal Shahar, but it was not possible to find it there.
Google Earth satellite image: alleged position of Arrow-3 launchers at Ein Shemer airbase
A launch site with two launchers located next to reinforced concrete shelters is located at Ein Shemer Air Base. It is possible that these are the towed Arrow-3 launchers.
Israel received its first two Patriot SAM batteries from the US Army at the start of the 1991 war. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Israel Defense Forces Air Force had eight PAC-2/GEM batteries with AN/MPQ-53 multi-function phased array radars, AN/MSQ-104 fire control posts, M901 launchers with four SAMs each, MIM-104D surface-to-air missiles, AN/MSQ-26 power supplies, communications equipment, electronic and visual camouflage, and auxiliary equipment.
The MIM-104D SAM weighs about 900 kg and has radio command guidance with sighting via its own receiver. The missile is 5,3 m long, 400 mm in diameter, and has a wingspan of 863 mm. The maximum flight speed of the SAM is 1190 m/s. Range is over 100 km. Ceiling is over 30 km.
This modification was mainly focused on combating aerodynamic targets and has limited anti-missile capabilities. Subsequently, with technical support from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the Israelis upgraded the existing Patriots to the PAC-2/GEM+ level, and this variant with expanded anti-missile capabilities was named Yahalom (Diamond) in Israel.
In 2024, it was announced that all Israeli Patriots were to be decommissioned, and relatively recently, information appeared in the media about the transfer of "obsolete" systems to Ukraine. However, there is a possibility that this is not entirely true and was part of a disinformation campaign designed to hide preparations for a strike on Iran.
In 2006, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems was awarded a contract to develop a surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and operational-tactical missiles.
The system, known as Kela David, was developed jointly with the American corporation Raytheon and entered service in 2017 at the Hatzor air base in the central part of the country. There are currently two batteries deployed at this location.
The interception is carried out using a highly maneuverable two-stage Stunner anti-missile with a combined multi-channel guidance system, including a combination of radio command, active radar and infrared guidance.
The missile is 4,6 m long and can reach speeds of up to 2500 m/s. It does not carry a warhead, striking the target with a kinetic strike. The system has an effective range of up to 250 km, a ceiling of up to 30 km, and is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles with a firing range of up to 300 km. The battery includes: a multifunctional IAI Elta EL/M-2084 MMR radar with AFAR, a command post, and 12-container vertical launch launchers mounted on semi-trailers.
The Kela David system, like the Patriot SAM, is capable of combating both aerodynamic and ballistic targets and is universal. It is considered an intermediate link between the long-range anti-missile SAM Arrow-2/3 and the Iron Dome close-in defense system.
The most widespread and frequently used system in the past is the Iron Dome, designed to protect against missiles and artillery shells with a range of up to 70 km, as well as to destroy aerodynamic targets such as cruise missiles and aircraft flying at an altitude of up to 10 km. The minimum range is 4,5 km. Now the firing range has been increased to 120 km. It is stated that one battery can cover an area of up to 150 km². The developers of the system are Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries.
Launch of the Iron Dome interceptor missile
The interception is carried out by the Tamir anti-missile with an active radar guidance system. The launch weight is 90 kg, the diameter is 160 mm, the length is 3 m. The speed is about 750 m/s. The target is destroyed by detonating a fragmentation warhead. Raytheon Corporation is involved in the production of parts for Tamir interceptors.
Typically, an Iron Dome battery consists of 3-4 launchers (20 missiles per launcher). Target detection is performed by the EL/M-2084 multi-purpose radar from ELTA Systems.
Iron Dome Radar
The battery command post was developed by mPrest Systems. Launcher control, radar data acquisition and data exchange with other systems are carried out via high-frequency wireless channels. The reaction time from target detection to interceptor missile launch is less than 1 s. The operating algorithm provides that the target is intercepted at the highest point of the trajectory. This is done to minimize damage in the event that an enemy unguided missile or artillery The projectile will be loaded with a chemical warfare agent.
The deployment of the Iron Dome began in southern Israel in the first half of 2011. In 2012, the system's effectiveness was approximately 70%. The cost of one anti-missile was estimated at $30.
As of August 2014, Israel had nine operational Iron Dome batteries. During the 50 days of the conflict, the Palestinians fired 4594 rockets and mortars. Iron Dome batteries intercepted 735 targets that they deemed dangerous based on trajectory data, with an interception success rate of approximately 90%. Only 70 Qassams fired from Gaza into Israel were not intercepted. One civilian was killed and three others and nine soldiers were wounded by mortars, but they were not in areas protected by Iron Dome. The IDF has ordered 15 Iron Dome batteries, but it is unknown how many are currently deployed.
Until a certain point, the IDF leadership considered the main threats to be Palestinian Qassams made from water pipes and Iranian ballistic missiles. However, due to the mass production of kamikaze drones in Iran, more attention has been paid to anti-aircraft missile systems capable of combating aircraft operating at low altitudes.
It is known that the Barak MX SAM was used against Iranian UAVs. This complex is a variant of the Barak-8 SAM, which was designed by Israel Aerospace Industries based on the ship-based Barak-1, commissioned by India.
The Barak MX land-based SAM battery consists of a combat control center, a multifunctional illumination and guidance radar, supported by other radars, three launchers with eight vertical launch missiles, transport and loading vehicles, a mobile diesel power plant, and a communications vehicle.
The solid-fuel two-stage SAM with an active radar homing head weighs 275 kg and is 4,5 m long. The warhead weighs 60 kg. The range of destruction of aerodynamic targets reaches 90 km. Ballistic missiles can be intercepted in a zone of 20 km.
After launch, the missile is placed on an interception trajectory and receives illumination from the ELM-2248 guidance radar. When approaching the target to the distance of the active seeker activation, the second engine is started. The in-flight guidance equipment provides information transmission to the missile and can retarget it after launch, which increases the flexibility of use and reduces the consumption of SAMs.
About 20 years ago, the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems developed the SPYDER (Surface-to-air Python and Derby) mobile anti-aircraft missile system, designed to intercept air targets at short and medium ranges, suitable for use in military and object air defense.
Initially, the Israeli military was not interested in this system, and it was supplied only for export. However, export success, based on good service and operational characteristics, and a favorable cost-effectiveness ratio, as well as the increased threat from Iranian drones, forced the IDF command to reconsider its opinion regarding the SPYDER air defense system.
In 2024, the IDF accepted a number of Spiders into service and put them on combat duty. Details are not provided, but according to unconfirmed reports, we are talking about two batteries integrated into the air defense/missile defense system.
Apparently, the Israeli army purchased a modification in which all components of the system are placed on a common wheeled base, including transport and launch containers and a radar. When searching for targets, the anti-aircraft battery relies on the EL/M-2084 radar.
Two types of SAMs are used to destroy air targets. At a distance of up to 20 km, an air-to-air missile with an IR homing head Python-5 is used, adapted for launch from a ground installation. It has a launch weight of 105 kg, a length of 3,1 m and is equipped with a warhead weighing 11 kg. The Derby missile with active radar guidance is capable of destroying targets at a distance of up to 50 km. It is more than 3,6 m long and weighs 118 kg. It was reported that the Derby can attack both aerodynamic and ballistic targets.
Israeli laser air and missile defense systems
The high cost of the Iron Dome interceptor missiles has forced the search for low-cost alternatives. In August 2020, the Light Blade laser system was tested on the border with the Gaza Strip, primarily designed to destroy helium balloons under which the Arabs hung incendiary devices.
In addition to balls, this combat laser could combat light drones at a distance of up to 2 km. It is reported that the complex shot down almost 100% of balls and quadcopters that flew into the kill zone, but its effectiveness was greatly limited by its short range.
In addition, the Light Blade system, due to its low energy potential, could not shoot down unguided rockets and mortar mines.
More powerful laser weapons is the Iron Beam system, which Israeli sources claim has a range of up to 10 km. However, it is worth understanding that the effectiveness of a combat laser is highly dependent on weather conditions, atmospheric conditions, and the type of target. An unofficial expert analysis published in 2020 states that Iron Beam can destroy homemade Palestinian rockets from a distance of 7 km, provided that two high-energy 100 kW fiber optic lasers are simultaneously applied to the target.
The Iron Beam concept as part of a multi-layered air and missile defense system was announced at the Singapore Air Show in 2014. It was developed by Rafael in cooperation with Lockheed Martin. From the outset, the system was envisioned as mobile. Iron Beam consists of a radar station that detects targets and accurately determines coordinates, a control unit, and two laser installations that operate synchronously.
In April 2022, the Israeli Defense Ministry and Rafael announced that in a series of experiments, the system successfully shot down drones, rockets and mortar bombs at the U.S. White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
In late 2023, it was revealed that the Iron Beam system had been deployed on the border with the Gaza Strip. The first combat use occurred in October 2024. By January 2025, the combat lasers had intercepted more than 40 drones launched by Hezbollah. Based on the results of the trial operation, a decision was made to create a more powerful installation, designated Iron Beam-M.
Analysis of the combat effectiveness of the Israeli air and missile defense system
After the end of the acute phase of the armed confrontation between Israel and Iran, it can be stated that more than 1000 launched Iranian kamikaze drones and cruise missiles did not fulfill their purpose and were mostly shot down outside Israeli territory. The main role in repelling the attacks of UAVs and cruise missiles was played by interceptor fighters, combat helicopters and Jordanian air defense systems. There is no information yet on how the new Israeli medium- and short-range air defense systems, as well as combat lasers, performed in this conflict.
One way or another, the slow Iranian Shaheds, flying to the target of attack for more than 8 hours, turned out to be easy prey for a modern multi-level air defense system, and one drone crash was recorded on Israeli territory.
In many ways, the task of countering Iranian ballistics was made easier by the fact that the launch areas were constantly monitored by American and Israeli reconnaissance satellites. Considering that the flight duration of a ballistic missile launched from Iranian territory at Israel is 12-15 minutes, the Israeli missile defense system, based on over-the-horizon radar stations, had sufficient time to prepare to repel the attack.
The greatest threat to Israeli civilian and military targets was posed by Iranian ballistic missiles. According to American estimates, by the beginning of the conflict Iran had more than 3000 ballistic missiles of various classes on solid and liquid fuel and approximately 300 launchers. A significant portion of Iranian missiles have an archaic design, based on a North Korean copy of the Soviet R-17, created in the 1960s. In particular, such a missile is the Shahab-3, capable of carrying a cluster warhead containing several hundred fragmentation submunitions. Further developments of the liquid missiles of the Shahab family were the larger medium-range ballistic missiles Ghadr, as well as Emad with a launch range of 1800 km and Khorramshahr-1 with a launch range of over 2000 km. The two-stage liquid Safir and Simorgh are capable of hitting targets at a range of 2200-4000 km. In addition to the liquid-propellant rocket engines, the Islamic Republic of Iran developed and mass-produced the solid-propellant Sejjil MRBM with a range of up to 2000 km. There is information that China supplied the solid rocket fuel components.
According to information published in Iranian media, missiles built after 2006, thanks to the use of a new control system, managed to achieve a CEP of 50-100 meters. Whether this is true is unknown, but most Western experts agree that the actual deviation from the aiming point can be 10 times greater. Which, in general, is confirmed by the results of using Iranian ballistics.
Detailed statistics on Iranian missile strikes vary from source to source. However, based on the available information, it can be said that before the exchange of strikes ceased, Iran was able to launch more than 3 ballistic missiles at Israel during Operation True Promise 500. Yemen's Houthis also joined the missile attacks.
In the first three days of the conflict, Iran launched an average of over 120 missiles per day. However, starting in the evening of June 16, the number of launches dropped to 3-5 per day. A number of Russian media outlets explained this by the fact that the surviving Iranian military-political leadership had decided to wage a "war of attrition" and was saving missiles. In reality, the decrease in the number of attacks was primarily due to the disorganization of the IRI armed forces, the destruction of missile arsenals, and the Israeli air force's total hunt for launchers. Subsequently, there were surges in the number of missile launches, but despite the extremely belligerent Iranian rhetoric, no more than 25 units were launched in one salvo, which indicates a decrease in Iran's strike potential.
Thirty-three Iranian missiles struck populated areas of Israel, killing 33 people and injuring 28. The wounded included people who suffered “emotional shock” and injuries while evacuating to shelters.
A number of publications covering the 12-day long-distance Israeli-Iranian war talk about the ineffectiveness of the Israeli Iron Dome, which is, at the very least, strange. Even non-specialists know that the Iron Dome system is primarily designed to intercept short-range unguided rockets and artillery shells, but not to counter medium-range ballistic missiles. However, launches of Iron Dome interceptors also took place. First of all, this was done to crush large fragments of already intercepted missiles in order to reduce the damage from their fall.
The main burden of combating Iranian ballistics fell on the Arrow 2, Arrow 3 and Kela David systems. It is possible that the MIM-104 Patriot PAC-2/GEM+ and Barak MX SAMs were also involved.
Overall, it can be stated that Israel's missile defense system demonstrated good efficiency, neutralizing at least 85% of Iranian ballistics. Considering that in the first days Iran tried to oversaturate Israel's missile defense system, this is a very good indicator. It is also noteworthy that Israel had been carefully preparing for an armed confrontation with Iran for a long time. Knowing the approximate number of Iranian IRBMs, the IDF had a sufficient number of detection systems, anti-missiles, and firing batteries at its disposal.
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