Israel finds itself at war following an unprecedented and overwhelming rocket attack by the Hamas group. In just 20 minutes after declaring “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” Hamas fired over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip, controlled by the group, into Israel. Air raid sirens shattered the morning silence across Israel, prompting the activation of the Iron Dome system, one of the world’s premier air defense systems. Dramatic visuals showcased the Iron Dome intercepting rockets mid-air, lighting up the sky with bursts of flares. However, the sheer scale of this attack was unlike anything previously encountered.
What is the Iron Dome system?
The Iron Dome system is a ground-to-air short-range air defense system strategically deployed across Israel to counter rocket attacks, mortars, artillery shells, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at short range. With a range of approximately 70 km, the system comprises three key components: Detection and Tracking radar, Battle Management and Weapons Control, and the Missile Launcher equipped with 20 Tamir Missiles.
This formidable air defense system has safeguarded Israel since 2011, originating from the need to protect against rocket attacks like those during the 2006 Lebanon conflict, which prompted Israel to develop its own defense system.
How Does Iron Dome Work?
When a rocket is launched toward Israel, the Detection and Tracking radar identifies its trajectory and relays this information to the Weapons Control system. This system swiftly performs intricate calculations to determine the rocket’s trajectory, speed, and anticipated target.
If the incoming rocket poses a threat to populated areas or strategic facilities, the Missile Launcher automatically fires a Tamir Missile, intercepting and destroying the rocket mid-air, neutralizing the danger. A single battery typically comprises three to four launchers, and Israel boasts at least 10 Iron Dome systems. The system’s manufacturer, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, claims a success rate of 90 percent, with over 2,000 interceptions to date.
What Happened This Time?
Despite its near-perfect track record, the Iron Dome system faced a formidable challenge as it was overwhelmed by a barrage of rockets from Hamas. Over several years, Hamas had been seeking ways to exploit weaknesses in the Iron Dome, and this time, they succeeded by launching a Salvo rocket attack, involving multiple rockets fired in rapid succession, making it difficult for the defense system to intercept all targets. Remarkably, over 5,000 rockets were fired in just 20 minutes.
Hamas continues to advance its crude rocket technology, progressively extending its range to cover major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
While a rocket fired by Hamas is significantly cheaper than the Tamir missile used to intercept it, the Iron Dome’s value goes beyond a simple cost analysis. It has consistently demonstrated its ability to neutralize threats and save lives.
During a conflict with Hamas in 2012, Israel claimed an 85 percent success rate in countering the 400 rockets fired from Gaza. In the 2006 Lebanon conflict, over 4,500 rockets were fired by Hezbollah, with a 90 percent interception success rate.
Upgrade and 2021 Attacks
In 2021, Israel announced upgrades to the Iron Dome system to address additional aerial threats, including successful interceptions of rocket and missile salvos, as well as simultaneous interceptions of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles.
During the Israel-Palestine conflict in May 2021, which lasted two weeks, over 1,000 rockets were fired initially, escalating to over 4,500 during the entire conflict. Throughout the crisis, officials reported a 90 percent strike rate against rockets using the Iron Dome system.
