Hezbollah, widely regarded as the most heavily armed terrorist group in the world, possesses a wide range of missiles, estimated to be somewhere between 120,000 and 200,000, according to a recent CNN report published on Saturday.
Hezbollah operates with the backing of Iran and is based in Lebanon.
CNN highlighted the full scope of Hezbollah’s weapons arsenal and capabilities. According to the report, Hezbollah possesses between 120,000 and 200,000 missiles. These include short-range weapons such as the “Katyusha” with a range of 4-11 km, Fajr-1/Type 63 (8-10 km), and Falaq-1 and Falaq-2 (10-11 km).
Medium-range options include the Shahin-1 (13 km), Type 81 (20.5 km), Fajr-3 (43 km) and Fajr-5 (75 km).
Long-range missiles such as the Raad-2/Raad-3 type Uragan (60-70 km), Khaibar-1 (100 km), Zelzal-1 (125-160 km), Zelzal-2 (210 km) and Fateh-110 (250-300 km) are also mentioned, with 150-400 of them having guidance capabilities. Heavy rocket attack that landed on Kibbutz Hanita in northern Israel on April 21, 2024. (credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)
At the bottom of the list are the Scud rockets, which have the longest range of 300-500 km.
Hezbollah uses various man-portable air defense systems and surface-to-air missiles, often targeting IDF drones, outposts and civilian villages along the Israeli border.
According to CNN’s report, the company’s man-portable air defense systems include the SA-16/18, with a range of 0.5 km, the SA-7, which can reach 3.4 km, and the Misagh-1/2, capable of hitting targets at a range of 5-6 km. Additionally, its more robust surface-to-air missile systems include the SA-14 with a range of 4.5 km, the SA-8 with a range of 10 km, the SA-22 capable of hitting targets up to 20 km away, and the SA-17, which can engage aircraft at a range of 50 km.
Weapons supplied by Iran
As for drone capabilities, Hezbollah has a wide selection to choose from, all supplied by Iran and serving both surveillance and attack purposes. The Mirsad 1/Ababil-T drone has a range of 120 km, while the Mirsad 2/Mohajer 4 extends its reach to 150 km. The Ma’arab/Qods Yasir drone is capable of covering a range of 200 km, providing greater operational flexibility, according to the CNN report.
Since October, Hezbollah has lost more than 400 men, including senior commanders, in its war with Israel. Hezbollah has attempted to undermine Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system by attacking its platforms and overwhelming it with swarms of drones and short-range missiles. These efforts are designed to create opportunities for other projectiles to penetrate deeper into Israeli territory.
However, CNN argues that the group is cautious not to provoke a full-blown military response from Israel, as such action could severely weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities and cause widespread destruction in Lebanon, a country already suffering from a severe financial crisis.
