Iran’s Missile Strike on Israel: Air Defences Prove Effective

In the wake of a significant missile assault from Iran, Israel’s advanced air defence systems successfully intercepted most of the 180 missiles launched on Tuesday night. The coordinated efforts between Israel’s air defence units and U.S. naval forces in the region effectively mitigated the damage from what could have been a devastating attack.

The missile barrage began at 7:31 p.m. local time, and while early Israeli assessments indicate that a few missiles did manage to hit their targets, there were no casualties reported. This is largely seen as a testament to the robustness of Israel’s multi-layered air defence systems, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as “the most advanced in the world.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the missile strike, stating that it was launched in retaliation for the recent assassinations of Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Iranian commander in Beirut. The IRGC also cited an Israeli airstrike in July that reportedly killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as another motivating factor for the attack.

Air Defence Cooperation with the United States

In addition to Israel’s own air defences, U.S. forces played a critical role in the interception effort. U.S. Navy destroyers in the region, including the USS Bulkeley and USS Cole, launched interceptor missiles in coordination with the Israeli Air Force (IAF). The IAF worked alongside AFCENT, the U.S. Air Force component of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for overseeing operations in the Middle East.

According to an Israeli security official, this collaboration was instrumental in preventing the majority of the missiles from reaching their intended targets. “In co-operation with AFCENT, the IAF operated in an effective and precise manner, intercepting most of the missiles,” the official said.

Strategic and Tactical Considerations

The nature of this latest missile strike differs from previous assaults in several key ways. Unlike Iran’s earlier attack in April, which featured a mix of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, the latest strike relied solely on ballistic missiles. This change in strategy may have been designed to reduce the response time available to Israeli defences.

Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, pointed out that drones, while effective in overwhelming air defences, offer more time for adversaries to prepare due to their slower speeds. Ballistic missiles, on the other hand, reach their targets within minutes, making them harder to intercept.

Iran may have also deployed its advanced hypersonic missile, the Fattah-1, for the first time in this attack, alongside its Kheybar Shekan missile, which is known for its solid-propellant technology.

Israel’s Air Defence System in Action

Israel’s air defence capabilities are widely regarded as among the best in the world, and they are organised into a multi-layered system. At the outermost layer is the Arrow system, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. This was likely instrumental in thwarting the high-altitude missiles fired by Iran.

The second layer, David’s Sling, is tailored to intercept mid-range ballistic missiles, such as those fired from Syria or Iran. This system was brought into operation during this conflict, intercepting heavier projectiles and tactical missiles.

Finally, Israel’s renowned Iron Dome forms the core of its short-range defence. This system, which has been operational since 2011, is specifically designed to intercept short-range artillery rockets. The Iron Dome’s capabilities were on full display during this latest attack, shooting down several of the incoming missiles.

Support from Allied Forces

In addition to U.S. support, there were hints that other international forces may have contributed to defending Israel. The British government, through Defence Secretary John Healey, mentioned the involvement of RAF fighter jets in preventing further escalation. This follows similar RAF involvement in the April missile attack, where British forces played a role in intercepting Iranian missiles.

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