Israel will restore its missile defense capabilities.
Since February 28, Iran has been regularly attacking various targets in Israel. The Israeli army repelled the missile and drone strikes using all available anti-aircraft weapons. After the cessation of active hostilities, the IDF will assess the results of its anti-missile systems and replenish its interceptor arsenal.
Israel and the United States attacked Iran on the last day of February. A few hours later, Iranian forces launched their first retaliatory strikes with ballistic missiles and drones of various types. Such strikes continued over the following weeks, until early April. Iran targeted a significant portion of these munitions at Israeli targets.
According to reports, Iran attacked Israeli government buildings, military bases, defense industry facilities, and fuel and energy complexes. These strikes were carried out primarily by medium-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) of several models. Most of the missiles were armed with cluster munitions, which compensated for their lack of accuracy and increased damage.
The IDF repelled the missile and drone attacks using all available systems Defense-BMD. The main burden of combating Iranian IRBMs was borne by the "Hetz" ("Arrow") anti-missile system, also known as Arrow.
An Egoz Khum launcher and a Hetz missile. Photo: US Missile Defense Agency
There are no precise data yet on the number of launches and intercepts. It is estimated that Iran used at least several dozen missiles of various models against Israeli targets. Israel likely used a comparable or greater number of interceptors.
Not all interception attempts were successful. At least 16-18 missiles or their warheads fell on various targets, resulting in destruction, disruption of operations, and loss of life.
The results of Israel's missile defense system have been mixed. The system intercepted a significant number of missiles, but the munitions that penetrated caused significant damage to military and industrial infrastructure. This points to the need for enhanced defenses, both by increasing arsenals and modernizing systems.
For now, the main issue is ammunition consumption. Over the weeks of exchanges of strikes, the IDF has used up some of its existing Hetz and other anti-missile systems. Now it needs to replenish its arsenal as quickly as possible and possibly increase its stockpiles.
Measures have already been taken. On April 6, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced a plan to increase production of Arrow missiles for existing missile defense systems. The ministry's procurement committee approved the plan, and the documents and agreements will be signed soon.
Under the new plan, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will expand Arrow missile production and accelerate deliveries to the IDF. Current and target production volumes are not disclosed. Public sources only mention a "significant increase."
The plan is intended to quickly replenish arsenals and compensate for the loss of interceptors during recent fighting. The IDF also likely wants to increase its missile stockpile in case of further attacks.
Please note: this plan only concerns the expansion of production and procurement of interceptor missiles. The IDF does not plan to purchase or deploy additional Hetz batteries. View---
"Hetz" is a specialized anti-aircraft system for detecting and intercepting short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. It consists of mobile assets that are deployed at sites and kept on alert.
A typical Strela battery includes one radar and command post, up to six missile launchers, as well as communications and power supply systems. All of this is mounted on vehicles or semi-trailers. The battery's components can be located on a single platform or remotely.
Radar E/LM-2080. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Target detection is performed by the EL/M-2080 Oren Yarok (Green Pine) or EL/M-2080 Block B Oren Adir (Great Pine) radars from Elta Systems. Both stations are equipped with large-area active phased arrays. The basic model detects IRBMs at a range of at least 500 km and tracks up to 30 targets. After the upgrade, the detection range has increased to 900 km.
Radar data is sent to the Ertog Zahav (Golden Citron) command post. It processes the information, assesses the threat level, and distributes targets among the launchers. Key operations are performed automatically, speeding up operations and reducing the likelihood of errors. The command post can interface with third-party radars and missile defense systems.
The battery consists of several Egoz Hum launchers mounted on semitrailers. Each carries six transport and launch containers with missiles. The launch is vertical.
The system utilizes interceptor missiles of the same family. Over the course of its development, several models have been released with improved performance and expanded capabilities. For example, the Hetz-4 project is designed to intercept not only ballistic but also aerodynamic hypersonic targets.
A combat launch of a Strela missile during an exchange of strikes in June 2025. Photo by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
All Strela missiles are built using a two-stage, dual-caliber design. Length is up to 7 meters, diameter is 500/800 mm, and launch weight is no more than 2,8 tons, depending on the modification. Both stages are equipped with solid-fuel motors. Maximum flight speed exceeds Mach 8–9. Target interception is possible within a range of up to 150–200 km from the launch site, including beyond the atmosphere.
The missiles are equipped with infrared and active radar homing heads. High accuracy is claimed: the deviation from the target does not exceed several meters. A 150 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead ensures destruction and, if necessary, a direct hit on the target.
According to available data, the IDF has four Hetz batteries. They are deployed in various parts of the country and cover the strategic eastern front. The radar field covers Iraq and allows monitoring Iranian activity by detecting launches. The interceptors' strike zones cover virtually all of Israel.
Combat batteries contain up to 24 launchers, each carrying six missiles. Therefore, even under ideal conditions, all Strela missiles can intercept no more than 144 enemy missiles. If two or more interceptors are deployed on each target, this number is halved or more.
Missile launches at Iranian IRBMs, June 2025. Photo: Telegram / Military Informant
During the 2024–2026 missile attacks, Arrow systems demonstrated the ability to detect and intercept Iranian IRBMs. However, they were unable to fully protect Israel. Iran countered the quality of Israel's systems with the quantity of missiles. The missile defense system was overloaded and was unable to respond to all targets.
Four batteries can barely withstand massive attacks with dozens of missiles. Furthermore, Iranian IRBMs are apparently equipped with decoys to penetrate missile defenses. This has further complicated the work of Israeli interceptors. Another method of penetration is cluster warheads: when deployed, they increase the number of targets requiring interception tenfold.
Iran's Khyber Sheqan missile system is one of the latest developments in the IRBM field. Photo: Iranian Ministry of Defense
Judging by recent decisions, the IDF considers the main problem to be the consumption and replenishment of its arsenals. However, it cannot be ruled out that the number of Hetz batteries on duty will be increased in the future. Each additional battery will increase the number of simultaneously intercepted targets and improve the overall missile defense performance.
The analysis of the missile defense systems' combat use will take time. Following this, the IDF and defense industry will develop a plan for further action. Implementing new measures will also require time. Whether the Hetz system and the missile defense system as a whole will be modernized before a possible new escalation is still unknown.
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