Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Understanding Iran’s Failed Unprecedented Attack on Israel’s Arrow Defense

Last year, similar aerial attacks occurred when Hamas launched Operation ‘Al-Aqsa Flood,’ carrying out both aerial and ground attacks. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that they had identified numerous surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran approaching Israeli territory. The IDF successfully intercepted the majority of the launches with the Arrow Aerial Defense System, in collaboration with Israel’s strategic allies, before they crossed into Israeli territory.

They claimed to have intercepted 99% of the threats launched. The Arrow Aerial Defense System development began in the late 1980s as a joint effort between Israel and the US and saw the induction of Arrow 2 missiles in 2000, enabling Israel to intercept short and medium-range missiles with a hit-and-kill approach in the upper atmosphere. This forms part of a layered defense system, including the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, which are used to intercept various types of threats.

The Iron Dome system has been deployed to intercept drones and short-range threats, with thousands of rockets being shot down since 2011. David’s Sling, on the other hand, is capable of intercepting slow-moving drones meant to confuse radar systems and is designed to protect against medium-to-long-range threats. The Arrow Defense System comprises various components, including the missile launcher, EL/M-2080 Green Pine fire control radar (FCR), Hazelnut Tree Launch Control Center (LCC), and Citron Tree battle management center.

It has proven capable of intercepting and neutralizing ballistic missile threats in the exo-atmosphere before they enter the re-entry stage. Despite its advanced capabilities, in April 2021, Israel admitted its failure to intercept Syrian missiles on multiple occasions. It’s important to note that the US has provided substantial funding for the Arrow defense system, with contributions exceeding $3.7 billion by 2020.

This system offers interoperability with the US Patriot Missile Defense System and continues to undergo development and testing to enhance its effectiveness in countering evolving threats.