How Israel's "Iron Dome" Works

2024-10-14 19:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Since the start of the war with Hamas a year ago, Israel continues to be attacked daily with rockets, a good number of which continue to be launched by the Hezbollah organization in Lebanon. But how did Israel manage to intercept nearly 90% of the rocket attacks? The experts explain the value of the Israeli "Iron Dome" system for the air defense of the country, which will already be helped by the advanced American air defense systems, THAAD.

The United States is sending an advanced air defense system (THAAD) and troops to Israel, the Pentagon announced on Sunday.

Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said the system will help bolster Israel's air defenses after two Iranian missile attacks in April and October.

Israel has several missile defense systems, one of which is called the "Iron Dome". Inaugurated in 2011, the system was built with US aid by the Israeli company Rafael and aims to stop attacks from short-range missiles, mortars and drones.

"After the 2006 war, some kind of protection had to be created. Attempts by the army to discourage the attacks by launching offensive operations were unsuccessful. So the creation of the defense system was decided and the contract was given to the Rafael company, which completed it within three years" , says Uzi Rubin, the former first director of the Israeli missile defense agency.

While long-range defense systems have proven effective, such as during Iran's recent missile attack, the difficulties appear to be greater when it comes to dealing with attacks from low-flying objects.

“The Iron Dome is not effective against low-flying objects (such as anti-tank missiles), or short-range Burkan missiles, as the system takes time to get ready and operational. It's a very short time from the moment the attack starts ," explains Yehoshua Kalisky, from the Israel Institute for National Security Studies.

It seems that's exactly what happened yesterday in Israel when a Hezbollah drone managed to sneak in undetected and hit an Israeli army base. The Chief of Staff, General Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant immediately went to the military base, while the circumstances of this attack are being investigated, from which four soldiers were killed and, according to the emergency services, 60 others were injured./ VOA