The Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow 2/3 systems certainly represent the most advanced air defense technologies in existence.

Over the last few days, Iran has reportedly launched around 2,000 missiles toward Israel. While some have penetrated Israel’s multi-tiered air defense system, the vast majority of Tehran’s barrages have been thwarted. The Iron Dome, Arrow 2/Arrow 3, and David’s Sling are widely considered to represent several of the most sophisticated and effective air defense apparatuses across the globe. Together, Israel’s multi-tiered are able to intercept short-range, medium-range, and long-range projectiles alike. If the Dome, Arrows, and David’s Sling were not providing full coverage of Israel’s airspace, tens of thousands of civilian lives at least would be at stake.

The Iron Dome

Arguably the centerpiece of Israel’s air defense capabilities is the Iron Dome. The famous missile shield is designed to intercept short-range rockets as well as other projectiles at shorter ranges. Comprised of three main systems, the Tamir interceptor, the ELM 2084 Multimission Radar, and a battle management and weapon control system, the Dome can achieve a success rate of 90 percent-plus. The Iron Dome was developed by the Israeli-owned Rafael Defense Systems with US backing in the early 2000s, following the 2006 “Summer War” between Israel and Hezbollah. Dozens of civilians were killed by the thousands of rockets launched by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group during this conflict, highlighting Israel’s requirement for a more robust air defense system.

David’s Sling

The middle-tier layer of Israel’s air defense system is David’s Sling. Designed to intercept and take out longer-range rockets, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles from distances up to 300km away, the formidable system works alongside the Iron Dome and Arrow systems. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems developed David’s Sling jointly with US company Raytheon and first entered service with the Israel Defense Forces in 2017. The weapon system is equipped with a vertical missile firing unit, a battle management/operator station, an EML-2084 fire control radar, and a Stunner interceptor. As explained by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Stunner missile does not host a warhead but is able to intercept incoming ballistic missiles with the sheer force of impact.

The Arrow Systems

Israel’s Arrow 2/Arrow 3 air defense systems are capable of intercepting short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles while flying through the upper atmosphere. Designed to be a more effective means to combat ballistic missiles than the American-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile, the Arrow family has played a critical role in Israel’s defensive strategy for many years. The air defense system was jointly developed by the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing. Notably, the Arrow 3 was dispatched to intercept a Houthi-launched ballistic missile targeting the coastal city of Eilat in 2023.

The Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow 2/3 systems certainly represent the most advanced air defense technologies in existence. However, they are certainly not impervious. Iran and its regional proxy groups continue to utilize barrages and swarm tactics in an effort to overwhelm all three air defense systems.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.

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