Air raid sirens blared across Israel as Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles, marking its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. This follows similar aerial attacks last year during Hamas’ Operation ‘Al-Aqsa Flood.’ The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported dozens of surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran, which were successfully intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array, including the Arrow Aerial Defense System, in collaboration with strategic allies.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that 99% of the threats launched toward Israel were intercepted, marking a significant strategic success. Videos circulating on social media depict the Arrow and Iron Dome defense systems intercepting aerial threats, illuminating the night sky with explosions across Israel, underscoring ongoing tensions between regional powers.
Key Component of Multi-Layered Air Defense
Israel’s Aerospace Industries, in partnership with the US Missile Defence Agency, developed the Arrow Defence System, a surface-to-surface missile system serving as a vital component of Israel’s multi-layered air defense framework. Originating from collaborative efforts dating back to the late 1980s, the Arrow 1 system underwent numerous flight tests in the 1990s before evolving into the lighter Arrow 2 missile, officially inducted in 2000.
The Arrow 2’s induction bolstered Israel’s ability to intercept short and medium-range missiles with its hit-and-kill methodology in the upper atmosphere, aiming to neutralize threats before their descent phase.
Operating in tandem with the Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems, the Arrow Defence System contributes to Israel’s layered defense strategy. The battle-tested Iron Dome, renowned for intercepting thousands of rockets since 2011, primarily targets short-range threats. Additionally, Israel employs the medium-to-long-range interceptor, David’s Sling.
Iran’s recent deployment of slow-moving drones seeks to disrupt Israeli radar systems and facilitate subsequent missile strikes, as noted by Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group. This tactical approach aims to avoid the “major humiliation” of complete interception of all projectiles, highlighting the strategic complexity of regional tensions.
How Advanced Missile Interception Technology Work?
Israel’s Arrow 2, incorporated into its air defense arsenal in 2000, represents a pivotal advancement in intercepting long-range threats within the atmosphere. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art Arrow 3 system aims to neutralize targets at even greater distances. Equipped with a two-stage solid-propellant booster, the Arrow rockets achieve remarkable speeds of up to Mach 9.
Comprising the missile launcher, EL/M-2080 Green Pine fire control radar (FCR), Hazelnut Tree Launch Control Center (LCC), and Citron Tree battle management center, the defense system boasts formidable capabilities. The Green Pine radar, with a detection range of 2,400 kilometers, not only identifies incoming threats but also counters electronic jamming, enabling interception of multiple targets simultaneously.
Upon detection, real-time data is relayed to the control center, guiding missile launches toward strategic targets such as cities or military installations. Vertically launched, the rocket’s finned kill vehicle precisely directs its blast toward the target, supplemented by a fragmentation warhead in case of interception failure.
Operating on the principle of Kinetic Energy, Arrow rockets possess hypersonic speeds suitable for anti-satellite operations and maintain compatibility with the US Patriot Missile Defence System. Deployable from silos or canisters, each launcher accommodates six missiles, ensuring robust defense capabilities.
The Arrow 3 system represents the pinnacle of Israel’s air defense, intercepting threats in the exo-atmosphere before the re-entry stage. Notably, it successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Houthis over the Red Sea in November, underscoring its efficacy.
However, despite advancements, challenges persist, as evidenced by Israel’s admission of Arrow 3’s failure to intercept Syrian missiles in April 2021. Yet, the United States’ substantial financial support, exceeding $3.7 billion, underscores the strategic importance of this collaborative defense initiative.
