What is Israel’s Iron Dome? Know the Arrow Missile defense system of Israel

The Israeli defense system has often been in the news. Whether it's for its impenetrable defense or the continuous array of attacks by the neighboring countries. Let’s get to know what makes its defense system so special.

The Israeli defense system includes a variety of shields for different types of attacks. The defensive array of Israel includes the well-known Iron Dome, designed to intercept short-range rockets, the Patriot system for attacks by aircraft and drones, David’s Sling for mid-range missiles, and the Arrow for intercepting long-range missiles.

Why in News?

With Iran's attacks on Israel this Saturday, the defense system of Israel is again in the news. Israel used its multi-layered defense system to intercept Iran’s attack of mass drones and missiles on its territory. This attack was in retaliation to Israel’s strike on the consulate of Iran in the Damascus region of Syria on April 1, 2024. 

The Israeli strike on the diplomatic region killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members, including two commanders Mohammed Reza Zahed and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, in charge of major operations of Iran in Syria and Lebonan. This attack by Iran is also historical because it was the largest drone attack ever executed by a single country, and that too by Iran, which has been an archnemesis of Israel for the past half-century. 

The Impenetrable Iron Dome

The Iron Dome air defense system is Israel’s key defense against the short-range rockets fired by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group in Gaza. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a US-backed state-owned company, built this defense system. The system became operational only in 2011. 

Iron Dome is based on a mobile missile defense system. The radar-guided missiles are developed in such a way that they will blow up short-range threats, such as drones, rockets, and mortars in mid-air. The shield is known to quickly determine the course of the rocket and intercept it if it's hitting a populated area. 

As per Rafael officials, the company has also delivered two Iron Dome batteries to America in the year 2020. In light of the recent war between Russia, and Ukraine, Ukraine is also seeking a supply of this impenetrable defense system. This shows the popularity of this defense system all over the world. 

David’s Sling for Mid-range Missiles

The David’s Sling defense system is designed to intercept mid-range ballistic missiles, aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles fired from 100-200 km away. 

David’s Sling defense system was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the U.S. Raytheon Co. It has been working since 2017. 

Israel’s Arrow Defense System

Israel developed its Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 long-range defense systems, especially with Iran’s missile threat in mind. The system comprises a detachable warhead, that collides with the target, traveling even outside the Earth’s atmosphere. 

The Arrow defense system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles. It functions at a height that permits any non-conventional warhead to be safely dispersed, thus not affecting any populated area.