In the wake of Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel, both The Telegraph and The Guardian explored how Israel’s advanced air defense system, considered one of the most sophisticated in the world, handled the assault. Despite its cutting-edge technology, the Telegraph noted that while Israel’s defense system successfully intercepted the majority of the Iranian ballistic missiles, a few managed to penetrate its multi-layered ground-to-air defenses. This raised concerns that Iran might have found ways to challenge one of the strongest air defense systems globally.
Iran’s large-scale offensive involved around 300 missiles and drones, with over 180 cruise missiles and drones launched late on Monday, marking the most extensive attack of its kind. Samuel Hickey, from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, emphasized the surprising nature of the attack, pointing out that ballistic missiles can travel at hypersonic speeds, making interception by fighter jets or ground systems significantly more difficult.
Hickey estimated that the defense against Iran’s missile assault in April cost Israel and its allies around $1.5 billion, underscoring the high cost of intercepting advanced missiles. This latest attack, which used fewer but more advanced missiles, highlights the risks Israel faces if the conflict escalates further.
The Guardian pointed out a critical issue: Israel’s stockpile of interceptor missiles is limited. This raises fears that Iran could overwhelm Israel with a massive barrage, forcing it to deploy its expensive, high-tech defense systems. The financial toll is substantial, with Israel’s Arrow missile, designed to intercept missiles in space, costing around $3.5 million each, while the David’s Sling interceptor costs about $1 million per missile. In contrast, Iran’s missiles cost around $100,000 each, making the financial strain on Israel much higher in prolonged engagements.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
