The system can be overwhelmed if the attack is large enough
Tel Aviv, Israel28 Oct. 2023, 16:10 7203 read 4 comments
The current war with Hamas may prove to be the toughest test yet for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. According to the Israeli military, the terrorists fired 7,000 rockets in just two weeks.
Israeli officials said most of the rockets were intercepted, but some managed to penetrate missile defenses and kill at least 11 people, the Associated Press reported.
“Iron Dome” – what is known about the system
According to open sources, “Iron Dome” is a tactical missile defense system designed to protect against unguided tactical missiles with a range of 50 to 200 kilometers.
The system was developed by the Israeli company Rafael and is produced jointly with the American defense giant Raytheon.
The first Iron Dome battery is known to have entered combat duty in March 2011. Each battery has three or four launchers, 20 missiles and a radar. And each rocket costs from 40 to 50 thousand dollars.
As of 2021, Israel has 10 batteries spread across the country, according to information from Raytheon. Each of them is able to protect a territory of 155 square kilometers.
The efficiency of “Iron Dome” is estimated at 90%. It can be pierced by a massive missile volley. The risk could increase if Hezbollah, which has about 150,000 rockets and projectiles, enters the war.
We recall that US President Joe Biden said he would ask Congress for $14.3 billion in military aid to Israel, and they want to use most of these funds to strengthen air and missile defenses.
“Iron Dome” risks being overloaded
As Bloomberg previously reported, Israel’s anti-missile defense system risks being overwhelmed by rocket attacks if the escalation of the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip escalates into a wider regional conflict.
It has been reported that, like any air defense system, Iron Dome relies on a sufficient supply of interceptor missiles and can be overwhelmed if the attack is large enough.
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2023-10-28 13:10:07
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